On land, at sea…
For over ten years now, Sirris has been a strategic partner for Belgian SMEs and manufacturers keen to innovate with sustainable energy. Its achievements in this area include pioneering work in the offshore energy sector. Today, Sirris is widening its approach to cover both offshore and onshore. By working with a wide range of partners, we are accelerating our progress towards a more sustainable energy system.
Sharing the energy transition journey
Switching to a sustainable energy system requires more than just technology. It involves collaboration between industry, technology partners and research. Sirris plays a connecting role, building an ecosystem in which companies can find solutions to challenges relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy and innovation.
A catalyst for offshore energy innovation
When Belgium built its first offshore wind farms, Sirris was already there, helping to determine the wind direction with the OWI-Lab (Offshore Wind Innovation Centre). Together with the VUB and UGent, it invested in advanced testing facilities such as climatic chambers and measuring systems: technological innovations that are still proving valuable today for manufacturing and energy transition businesses.
Pauwels Transformers in Mechelen is one example. This company collaborated with Sirris on a European consortium that developed a floating high-voltage transformer for a marine environment.
Thanks to testing in the climatic chambers and smart sensor technology, the device is now operational. In this project, which involved 15 partners, Sirris’ OWI-Lab demonstrated its expertise in thermal analysis, structural evaluations and climate resilience.
From OWI-Lab to OWI Create
Today, Sirris is building on experiences of this kind with OWI Create, a new innovation project. The focus is on achieving:
- A Belgian innovation roadmap based on European directives
- Expansion to energy islands and floating wind farms
- A triple helix framework to strengthen collaboration between industry, knowledge institutions and government
- The establishment of an offshore energy academy, supported by the leading Belgian research organisations
Discover OWI CREATE
From niche to mission
What originally started with offshore energy has grown into a broad strategy in which Sirris supports Belgian SMEs and manufacturers. Because with OWI Create, strong partners and participation in Energy Mission 2025, Sirris remains the energy accelerator for businesses keen to develop in a sustainable future.
