Introduction to Geology and Geophysics for Offshore Wind is a five-day micro-credential designed to provide foundational knowledge of marine geology and geophysical survey techniques in the context of offshore wind development. Delivered in partnership with the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), the course equips participants with practical and theoretical understanding of seabed conditions, data acquisition methods, processing workflows, and interpretation techniques. Through a mix of lectures, case studies, and demonstrations, learners will gain insight into the geoscientific considerations crucial to the planning, engineering, and environmental assessment of offshore wind projects.
Course Objectives
- Introduce participants to relevant geological principles
- Provide background on common geophysical and geotechnical surveying techniques
- Introduce common acquisition and processing strategies
Course Content
Day 1: Marine Geology and Offshore Wind Context
- Introduction to marine geology and depositional/erosional processes
- Relevance of geoscience to offshore wind site selection and engineering
- Case studies and guided discussions
Day 2: Equipment and Data Acquisition
- Overview of common marine geophysical sensors and deployment strategies
- Operational planning, health & safety, and environmental considerations
- Introduction to Irish regulatory requirements
Day 3: Geoscientific Data for Offshore Wind
- Familiarisation with common geological and geophysical data types
- Basics of processing workflows, data deliverables, and quality control
- Demonstrations using real-world data examples
Day 4: Geoscientific Data Processing
- Detailed processing steps using industry-standard software (MBES, SSS, SBP, magnetometer)
- Understanding data interdependencies and common processing limitations
- Group discussions on processing outcomes and quality assurance
Day 5: Data Interpretation and Reporting
- Interpretation of processed datasets and geological records
- Assessment of geotechnical and geospatial impacts on offshore wind
- Final exam to evaluate learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this micro-credential, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of marine geology and its relevance to offshore wind development
- Identify and describe the function of key geophysical sensors used in offshore site investigations
- Understand planning considerations including environmental restrictions and some regulatory requirements
- Build a familiarisation with basic geophysical processing workflows using industry tools
- Analyse and assess potential seabed risks and impacts to offshore wind infrastructure based on geophysical datasets
- Build a familiarisation with common communication strategies for geoscientific findings
Course delivery method and schedule to be confirmed before course commencement.
Skillnet Course Fee: € TBC
Full Course Fee: € TBC
Eligibility for the subsidised Skillnet Course Fee is based on the following factors:
Trainees
Key requirements regarding the trainee:
- Trainees must be based in the Republic of Ireland to be eligible.
- Trainees must be employed within private enterprise/self-employed.
- This program is designed for professionals working in a related sector, seeking to upskill and transition into the offshore wind industry.
Companies
Key requirements regarding the eligibility of businesses to participate in funding:
- Companies must be from private enterprise based in the Republic of Ireland.
- Skillnet Ireland funding is not available to public sector bodies or organisations that are publicly funded such as community-based not-for-profit companies or charities.
- Commercial semi-state companies are eligible providing that income contributed to a Network is not sourced from the public purse.
- Sole traders are eligible as Companies.
If you are not eligible for funding, then the full course fee will apply. Where a trainee enrols on a course and pays the full fee, no refund will be provided if eligibility is determined later.
If you have further queries on funding, please contact training@skillnetoffshorewindacademy.ie including the module you wish to apply for.
- Applicants should hold a degree in geology, geophysics, earth sciences, environmental science, engineering, or another relevant discipline. An upper second-class honours Level 8 degree (GPA 3.08), or international equivalent, is typically appropriate.
- Applications will also be considered from those with significant and relevant professional experience in the offshore wind, marine, or energy sectors, or from those who hold a postgraduate qualification in a related field.
- Professionals in or entering the offshore wind sector, particularly in site investigation, seabed mapping, and marine data analysis. It also benefits those in government, regulation, consultancy, and wider energy or infrastructure roles involving geophysical aspects of offshore projects, as well as researchers, engineers, and project managers seeking deeper insight into seabed conditions and their impact on project design and delivery.
- Companies seeking to develop and upskill their workforce to undertake projects related to offshore wind farm development.
Career Pathways:
This micro-credential opens pathways across the offshore wind industry with roles focused on site investigation, seabed mapping, and marine data analysis, or strengthen their expertise for positions in environmental consultancy, government, or regulatory bodies. The skills gained are highly transferable to the wider energy and infrastructure industries, supporting careers in project management, engineering, and research. By deepening knowledge of seabed and subsurface conditions, learners will be equipped to contribute to the successful planning, design, and delivery of offshore wind projects.
Progression:
This course provides a good introduction for further study in marine geoscience, offshore renewable energy, or environmental engineering. Current micro-credentials which may be of interest include:
To learn more about this micro-credential or to express interest in registering, please contact training@skillnetoffshorewindacademy.ie.
Dr. Jared Peters
Geo Division Head and Director of Science and New Markets at Green Rebel
Dr. Jared Peters is a marine geologist with over a decade of experience across research, consultancy, and maritime industry operations. His expertise spans geophysical and geotechnical surveying, data processing, and offshore renewable energy development. He currently serves as Geo Division Head and Director of Science and New Markets at Green Rebel, where he leads technical teams delivering data solutions for offshore wind and other marine infrastructure projects.
Dr. Peters holds an MSc in Geoscience and a PhD in Marine Geology. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), a Chartered Scientist (CSci), and a Chartered Marine Scientist (CMarSci). His scientific work has resulted in over 15 publications on subjects including multibeam seabed geomorphology, Bayesian modelling for renewable energy planning, and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.
Before joining Green Rebel, Dr. Peters contributed to a range of high-profile industry projects, including site selection and baseline assessments for renewable energy developments, port dredging surveys, and fibre optic cable pre-lay surveys. His professional strengths lie in integrating offshore data collection, processing, and interpretation to support robust decision-making and infrastructure planning.
Dr. Peters is particularly interested in applying geoscientific data to inform sustainable offshore wind development and continues to contribute to industry innovation through technical leadership and applied research.
Evan O’Mahony, BSc, MSc
Geophysical Lead at Green Rebel
Evan O’Mahony is the Geophysical Lead at Green Rebel, where he manages a multidisciplinary team of geologists and geoscientists responsible for the processing, interpretation, and reporting of geophysical and hydrographic survey data. Since joining Green Rebel in 2021, he has played a central role in supporting offshore survey operations, offering technical leadership in survey planning, data acquisition strategies, and quality assurance.
Evan holds a BSc (Hons) in Geology from University College Cork and an MSc by Research, completed in collaboration with UCC and iCRAG. His research focused on seabed mapping, sediment classification, and offshore survey data to assess the aggregate resource potential along Ireland’s south coast.
Prior to his current role, Evan worked as a Geotechnical Engineer, conducting ground investigations and terrestrial geophysical surveys across Ireland. He brings to the role a robust combination of offshore survey experience and onshore data expertise, with particular strengths in sedimentology, geomorphological interpretation, and geophysical data integration to support the offshore renewable energy sector.
