The 5th international Rostock Ocean Technology Summer School – or RoOT Summer School for short – took place from June 29 to July 10, 2026. Focusing on the challenges and opportunities of offshore wind energy, set against the backdrop of climate targets and the protection of marine ecosystems, the event brought together 14 participants from nine countries. The IOW made contributions on research at sea, Baltic Sea environmental monitoring and the potential impacts of offshore wind parks on the Baltic Sea. The RoOT Summer School has been held annually since 2022 and offers early-career researchers and young professionals practical insights into marine research and marine technology. It is hosted by the partner institutions of the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock.

The first summer school week dealt with the challenges and difficulties involved in planning and constructing offshore wind parks. During a visit to IOW’s research vessel ‘Elisabeth Mann Borgese’, the participants were given a first glimps into the working environment at sea in the context of research and technology. There, they learnt how research expeditions are planned and carried out. Furthermore, IOW’s transfer officer, Regine Labrenz, presented the institute’s interdisciplinary Baltic Sea research. IOW researcher Sjard Wucherpfennig used the example of the FINO II offshore research platform to explain how long-term measurements in wind park areas provide data for energy and environmental research.

Other contributions at a focus day in Warnemünde organised by the IOW in collaboration with experts from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency addressed marine spatial planning, the development of offshore areas, and underwater noise, its impact on marine mammals, and technical options for reducing noise emissions during the construction of offshore wind turbines.

Over the following days, the focus turned to key requirements for expanding offshore wind energy in the most environmentally sustainable way possible. The participants learnt about further ecological, technical and social aspects of offshore wind energy use. These included, amongst other things, methods for monitoring fish populations, as well as discussions on tourism, public acceptance and competing interests in the planning of offshore wind farms. This was complemented by another IOW summer school presentation: Marine physicist Hans Burchard provided insights into the physical oceanography of the Baltic Sea and explained processes that are significant for water exchange, mixing and aeration. He also discussed how large-scale offshore structures might influence these processes.

Various practical activities rounded off the first week. These included building measuring systems from scratch, a trip aboard the research catamaran ‘Limanda’, a visit to the University of Rostock’s seal research station, and a workshop on the beach. There, the participants planned a model offshore wind park, taking into account factors such as subsea cables, protected areas, fisheries interests and noise mitigation measures.

Following the analysis of the challenges, the second week focused on potential solutions for the planning and construction of wind farms. One day of the programme was devoted to the use of machine learning in planning processes. During a design sprint, the participants developed their own ideas and prototypes. Visits to companies complemented the programme by providing insights into planning, manufacturing and environmental monitoring.

On the final day, the working groups presented the results of their design sprints. A feedback session brought the two-week summer school to a close and also provided ideas for the next edition. Future editions of the RoOT Summer School will continue to introduce up-and-coming international talent to the diverse expertise of Rostock as a centre for ocean technology and to promote exchange between academia, industry and public authorities.

» Further informationen on the RoOT Summer School 2026