Modern ships burn fuel and even nuclear energy to propel them through the world’s oceans. But wind, the all-natural, free power source that was the primary power source for ships for hundreds of years, could be making a comeback.
Danish shipping company Maersk said it will outfit one of its giant sea tankers with two wind-capturing rotor sails that can reduce fuel costs significantly. When weather conditions are optimal, the rotor sails can kick in and help propel the 109,647-deadweight ton tanker.
The wind-catching rotor sail supplement the ship’s powerful engines, not replace them. And when there is no wind, they won’t be engaged.
Still, the overall cost savings in fuel is expected to be between 7 and 10, on average. They also release zero emissions.
High-Tech, Old Tech
Unlike old-fashioned sails, which usually were made from canvas, rotor sales are made from lightweight composite materials.
The cylindrical-shaped rotor sales, which stand close to 100 feet tall and are about 16 feet wide, spin when they catch the wind by means of a principle known as the Magnus effect. An auger transfers this wind energy to the ship’s screw, which turns the propeller, pushing the ship through the water.
The new design is based on the Flettner rotors, a type of ship propulsion that harnesses the wind to spin rotors, which have been used on maritime vessels since the 1920s.
A Year of Testing
The Maersk tanker will be outfitted with the pair or rotor sails manufactured by Norsepower, a Scandinavian alternative energy company. during the first half of next year. During the following 12 months, data from the test program will be analyzed.
The trial program is funded by the UK’s Energy Technologies, Institute, as well as Maersk and Norsepower. Shell Oil will coordinate the project, as well as providing operation and terminal and port consultancy to the program.
Beginning a New Era of Sail Power?
If all goes well, rotor sails could soon be installed on tankers, cargo ships, and other sea freight vessels worldwide, according to Toumas Riski, the CEO of Norsepower.
“We are optimistic that support for this trial from these industry leading organizations will open up the market for our technology to a larger number of long-range tanker vessels, paving the way for ship fuel efficiencies, and ultimately reducing emissions, including greenhouse gasses,” Riski said in a news release announcing the partnership. “As an abundant and free renewable energy, wind power has a role to play in supporting the shipping industry to reduce its fuel consumption and meet impending carbon reduction targets.”