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Best Oral Presentation Award for SWiM Research at the ICES Annual Science Conference 2026  

Research conducted within the SWiM project has received international recognition at the ICES Annual Science Conference 2026. Pauline Denis (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences) received the Best Oral Presentation Award for her work on the cumulative impacts of floating solar structures within a Belgian offshore wind farm.

01/10/2026
The award was presented during the ICES Annual Science Conference in Brest, France, one of the world’s leading conferences in marine science. Organised by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the annual event brings together researchers, experts and policymakers to discuss the latest scientific developments related to marine ecosystems, climate change and the sustainable use of marine resources. This year’s conference welcomed around 900 participants from across the globe.
In her presentation, titled Cumulative impacts of floating solar structures within a Belgian offshore wind farm, Pauline Denis highlighted the importance of considering hydrodynamic processes when assessing the environmental impacts of offshore renewable energy infrastructure. The research demonstrates that interactions between different offshore energy systems, such as offshore wind turbines and floating solar installations, need to be considered to gain a complete understanding of their ecological effects.

Supporting sustainable offshore energy development

As offshore renewable energy continues to expand, such integrated assessments become increasingly important. Improved knowledge of the interactions between offshore wind and floating solar installations can help researchers, industry stakeholders and policymakers make informed decisions on the sustainable deployment of offshore energy technologies in the Belgian Marine Zone and beyond.

The award is a valuable recognition of the scientific excellence developed within the SWiM project and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in supporting the future of offshore renewable energy.