• Six PhD researchers will conduct research on new energy systems 
• Campaign to fill PhD spots now underway
• RWE, TNO and four leading Dutch universities work together

A campaign to fill six PhD positions at four Dutch universities is underway: TU Delft, TU Eindhoven, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and Universiteit Utrecht. Initiated and funded by RWE and coordinated by research organization TNO, this research aims to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind production and make energy systems work better together. 

The six researchers will carry out closely linked research projects and share their findings through a platform so that the energy sector can benefit and develop a better energy system for the future.

Michiel van Rij, Country Lead Offshore Development Netherlands at RWE: “This extensive research programme will be key in the roll-out of offshore wind in the Netherlands. It will help to develop a vision of what the future energy system should look like and create a clear roadmap of steps we can already take to get there. The research programme provides an opportunity for the energy transition, made possible by the unique tender design for the Hollandse Kust West sites.”

André Faaij, Director Science & Technology at TNO: “This programme helps us to rapidly generate more offshore energy. It requires cooperation between different disciplines such as engineering, planning and policy, and is important for the North Sea region and beyond.”

Role distribution
Each partner has an important role to play:

• The universities provide space and guidance for researchers.
• TNO coordinates research and develops a platform to share research results and data with other institutes and the energy sector.
• RWE funds the project and shares data from the OranjeWind project with the researchers.