On September 5, 2025, Academician Zhou Xuhong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former president of Chongqing University, was invited to visit the School of Civil and Transportation Engineering of SZU to give an academic lecture titled “Overview of the Development of Wind Turbine Support Structures” to all the teachers and students. The lecture was hosted by Prof. Chen Xiangsheng, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the School. This activity is the 31st lecture in the “Nanshan Lecture Theater” series of our college.

At the beginning of the lecture, Academician Chen Xiangsheng, on behalf of all the teachers and students of the college, expressed his warm welcome to the arrival of Academician Zhou Xuhong. He pointed out that Academician Zhou has profound attainments and wide influence in the field of civil and structural engineering, and this lecture is not only an academic feast, but also an important opportunity for teachers and students to broaden their horizons and enlighten their thinking.

Academician Zhou Xuhong combined his long-term scientific research experience, systematically sorted out the development history and latest progress of the wind power industry, and analyzed the key scientific issues and engineering challenges. He pointed out that with the promotion of the “dual-carbon” strategy, wind power as an important support for clean energy, the safety, reliability and economic research of its infrastructure urgently need a breakthrough. In the future, offshore wind power will pay more attention to the integrated development and utilization of various energy sources, such as sea ranch, offshore oil and gas, seawater desalination, hydrogen energy and energy storage.

Through the actual engineering case of the first prototype in Shandong, Academician Zhou showed teachers and students in detail the complete process flow of foundation pile construction, bearing platform concrete pouring, structural preassembly, component transportation, on-site installation and tower and wind turbine assembly in the construction of wind turbines. The report is informative and broad, with both theoretical frontiers and engineering practices, which is an important inspiration for teachers and students to understand the new mission of civil engineering in the transformation of energy structure.

It was the first week of the new semester, and the lecture became the “first lesson” for the graduate students. After the lecture, teachers and students enthusiastically asked questions and exchanged views on research direction, academic methods and life choices. Academician Zhou gave wonderful answers from both the philosophical and practical levels, not only imparting scientific wisdom, but also sharing life experience, the scene applauded warmly and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Academician Zhou Xuhong's lecture, from the material - nodes - components - structure - system of the complete chain of research, embodies the “to the true, to the good, to the beautiful, to the clean, to the long” the pursuit of scientists; demonstrated from the first principle of “mechanics - structure” fusion of the beauty; At the same time, it explains the scientists' national sentiment of “national responsibility and continuous dedication” on the way of scientific research. It was an academic event and a feast of ideas! This lecture not only let teachers and students deeply realize the responsibility and commitment of civil engineering in energy and sustainable development, but also injected a strong impetus for the college to further strengthen the construction of disciplines and cultivate top innovative talents.