i4HydroMORE: Marine Labs for Smarter and Greener Ocean Operations

The i4HydroMORE project — short for International Initiative for Integrating Intelligence of Machines and Robotics to Marine Labs for Hydrodynamic Modeling and Green Ocean Operations — is built around that idea. Rather than funding new experiments or inventions, the project focuses on connecting people: students, researchers, and educators who work on hydrodynamics, robotics, and intelligent marine systems. Supported by the Research Council of Norway’s INTPART programme, i4HydroMORE provides opportunities for international exchange, workshops, and joint education activities. By bringing together expertise from Norway, the United States, and China, the project strengthens global cooperation and builds the foundation for smarter and greener ocean operations.

Working Together for Sustainable Marine Innovation 

Modern ocean operations are becoming increasingly complex. Ships, offshore wind farms, and autonomous marine systems must function safely and efficiently in a constantly changing environment. At the same time, society demands cleaner, more energy-efficient, and climate-friendly solutions. Achieving this green transformation requires more than new technology — it requires collaboration, education, and global knowledge exchange. 

An International Partnership for Smarter Oceans 

The project brings together four complementary partners: 

  • Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL) – a regional university with strong applied engineering education and close collaboration with the maritime and offshore industry in Western Norway. HVL contributes practical experience in hydrodynamic testing, ocean operations, and sustainable technology development. 

  • NORCE Norwegian Research Centre – a leading research institute in Norway conducting applied research on energy, maritime innovation, and ocean renewables. 

  • The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – a world-renowned university with pioneering research in ocean engineering, marine robotics, and artificial intelligence. 

  • Westlake University in China – a young, research-intensive university advancing robotics, fluid mechanics, and intelligent laboratories. 

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Together, these institutions represent a complete chain of expertise — from fundamental research and modelling to applied engineering and industrial collaboration. Each partner contributes state-of-the-art laboratories: HVL’s MarinLab, NORCE’s maritime simulation facilities, MIT’s Towing Tank, and Westlake’s i4-FSI Lab. Through visits, workshops, and shared teaching, these facilities will form a network for international knowledge exchange and cooperation. 

Why Collaboration in Hydrodynamics Matters 

Hydrodynamics — the study of how water moves around ships, turbines, and other structures — is fundamental for designing safe and efficient ocean operations. As industries transition toward renewable energy and autonomous systems, understanding and predicting these forces becomes increasingly important. 

Each i4HydroMORE partner is already active in related research through other funded projects. In Norway, several Research Council projects provide a strong scientific foundation: 

  • HYDROMORE – developing improved design methods for mooring systems in renewable energy applications. 

  • RAIDAR – applying artificial intelligence to predict waves and vessel motion in real time. 

  • HyEff – improving energy efficiency in hydrogen-powered vessels. 

  • HyValue – researching hydrogen production and use at sea. 

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i4HydroMORE itself does not fund these research activities. Instead, it connects the people, institutions, and laboratories behind them. By coordinating mobility and cooperation, the project enhances the sharing of knowledge and methods, creating synergies between ongoing research and education. 

Learning Across Borders 

At the core of i4HydroMORE lies mobility — the exchange of students, researchers, and teaching staff between the partner institutions. Bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students from Norway will have opportunities to visit MIT and Westlake, while students from those universities will travel to Norway for short research stays at HVL and NORCE. 

These exchanges, typically lasting from a few weeks to several months, offer students the chance to gain international experience, learn new experimental methods, and work in advanced laboratory environments. Faculty members will also travel between institutions to share expertise on teaching, supervision, and curriculum development. 

Although each visit is short, the experience is lasting. Participants return with new ideas, new contacts, and new perspectives that enrich both their home institutions and their future careers. 

Summer Schools and Shared Education 

A major part of the project is the development of joint educational programs. The partners will organize international summer schools rotating between Norway, the USA, and China. These events will bring students together to explore topics such as hydrodynamics, marine operations, robotics, and artificial intelligence, combining theory with practical, hands-on learning. 

Students might work on small-scale experiments in wave tanks, analyze ocean data, or test control systems for marine robotics. Beyond academic learning, they will gain valuable cultural experience and teamwork skills — essential for future international collaboration. 

The project will also co-design shared course modules for integration into existing programs at HVL, MIT, Westlake, and NORCE. This ensures that the educational benefits of i4HydroMORE continue after the project period, embedding international collaboration in future teaching. 

A Network for Knowledge, Not a Research Project 

It is important to clarify that i4HydroMORE is not a research project. The INTPART programme funds collaboration and knowledge exchange, not laboratory experiments or new technology development. 

The project’s main results will be: 

  • Mobility exchanges for students and faculty members.
  • International summer schools and workshops.
  • Shared teaching materials and curriculum development.
  • A sustainable international network of laboratories and researchers. 

Through these activities, i4HydroMORE strengthens the competence base for future research and innovation in green ocean operations, both in Norway and internationally. 

Contributing to Global Goals 

By promoting international collaboration and sustainable ocean operations, i4HydroMORE contributes to several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 

  • SDG 4 – Quality Education: fostering international learning and competence building. 

  • SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: supporting knowledge sharing for renewable ocean energy. 

  • SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: connecting laboratories and promoting innovation-oriented education. 

  • SDG 13 – Climate Action: strengthening expertise that enables lower-emission marine operations. 

  • SDG 14 – Life Below Water: encouraging environmentally responsible technologies and practices. 

  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: demonstrating effective global collaboration across three continents. 

Equal Opportunities and Responsible Collaboration 

Diversity and inclusion are integral to i4HydroMORE’s philosophy. The project encourages participation from students and researchers of all backgrounds, with particular attention to gender balance in mobility and leadership roles. 

Ethical standards and institutional guidelines ensure that collaboration is fair, transparent, and culturally respectful. HVL’s Gender Equality Plan (GEP) provides the framework in Norway, supported by equivalent policies at MIT and Westlake University. 

Expected Results 

Throughout the i4HydroMORE we want to achieve: 

  • Over 16 mobility exchanges involving students and faculty. 

  • Four summer schools and four international workshops or seminars. 

  • Shared educational materials and new course content. 

  • Joint publications based on collaborative work. 

  • A sustainable international network that continues beyond the project. 

 

Contact: 

  • Project Manager: Associate Professor Gloria Stenfelt, Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL)
  • Project Manager Assistant: Associate Professor Baiheng Wu, Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL) 

Partners: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Westlake University