Meet Roel, Coastal Engineer

Challenging and meaningful projects

In his first year with our organisation, Roel mainly worked on wave modelling for the Princess Elisabeth energy island. “Many wind turbines are being built on the coast of Belgium. To transport the energy generated by these wind turbines to the land, it needs to be transformed. However, there is no space for these transformers in the middle of the sea. Therefore, a large energy island, about 45 kilometres out of the coast, is being built in the North Sea so that all the necessary energy infrastructure can be placed there. It's a fascinating project to be a part of. Not only does it directly contribute to the energy transition, but it's also something entirely new, making it technically very interesting. Unlike waves that lose a significant amount of energy once they reach the coast, this is not the case in the middle of the sea. A storm at sea can generate waves several meters high, something that must be taken into account when designing such an energy island."

Not just modelling and calculating

Besides the energy island, Roel also contributed to several smaller projects. "I am currently working on another project where we determine wave conditions for a project in Brazil. A completely different setting and a more research-oriented project. Instead of primarily focusing on generating figures, we have delved into how this model operates and identified areas of unknowns. For this, we collaborated with a knowledge institute and visited them to acquire more insights. An exciting project to be a part of because we have truly delved into the depths of the subject."

An international scope

"What makes my role exciting is that it is technically very interesting. There is a wealth of knowledge within the organization, and there is always someone you can turn to for help. Additionally, I appreciate the freedom to explore what interests me. For example, I recently conducted a climate risk analysis, which falls outside my team's usual scope, but I proactively asked if I could contribute to it.”

“The international aspect is also appealing to me. While similar companies often focus mainly on the Netherlands, Royal HaskoningDHV has a truly international scope. It's fascinating to work on projects in different environments with different types of waves rather than solely focusing on the Dutch coast.”

“Furthermore, it's good to see that 'Enhancing Society Together' is not just a slogan but something genuinely emphasised. Here, you can contribute to projects that can make a difference."