Internship | Technical feasibility study of a novel monopile removal method for offshore wind decommissioning

About this internship

Offshore wind decommissioning is entering a critical phase as volumes increase while practical experience remains limited. Methods applied to early-generation wind farms are unlikely to be directly transferable to today’s larger and more complex monopile-supported turbines, creating significant uncertainty around feasibility, safety, and execution. This master’s thesis focuses on the engineering feasibility of an innovative monopile removal concept, with the primary objective of feasibility and under which environmental and operational conditions it can be safely applied. The work is strongly engineering-driven, addressing structural behaviour, hydrodynamic loading, soil interaction, and operational constraints under realistic offshore conditions.

What will be your role?

This thesis aims to evaluate the technical feasibility of an innovative offshore wind monopile removal approach and to define the conditions (design, environmental, and operational) under which it can be applied.

Proposed tasks:

• Review existing monopile cutting and decommissioning methods and their technical limitations.
• Define a representative monopile case study (structure, soil, metocean conditions).
• Assess feasibility focusing on structural response, stability, soil interaction.
• Identify feasible operating envelopes and key failure drivers.
• Translate feasible solutions into indicative operational and cost implications.
• Document results in a master’s thesis and, where possible, a conference paper.

What we expect from you

You have an engineering background (e.g. civil, mechanical, offshore, maritime, or structural engineering) and can critically assess the technical feasibility of novel offshore monopile decommissioning concepts, including structural, operational, and boundary-condition aspects.

• You are motivated to explore an open-ended research problem, perform a structured literature review, and translate a broad feasibility question into clear analyses and conclusions.
• You are comfortable combining technical insights with qualitative and techno-economic considerations such as logistics, vessel usage, sequencing, and key cost drivers.
• You can clearly communicate complex technical findings in a well-structured thesis and present results and recommendations concisely and transparently.
• You work independently and proactively, while effectively collaborating with supervisors and researchers from different disciplines and incorporating feedback into your work.

What you'll get in return

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.