Norsepower Oy Ltd has been trying to bring wind energy back to marine shipping in the form of sails that look like oversized chimneys. The idea hasn’t caught on quite yet, but that could change in the short term. A new agreement with Nefco, the Nordic Green Bank, will enable Norsepower to ramp up production and bring its energy-efficient technology to the seven seas, including passenger and cargo ships.
Modern wind energy for the shipping industry of the 21st century
Norsepower’s unusual take on wind energy for modern maritime mobility is a far cry from the familiar sight of canvas sails fluttering in the wind. Even the high-tech rigid sails of the yacht racing circuit look somewhat sail-like. None, there it is. The company has developed a sail that looks like it should blow out smoke instead of using wind power.
If you’re wondering how it works, that’s a good question. Norsepower’s pipe-shaped Rotor Sail uses the so-called Magnus effect, which refers to the pressure difference created when an object moves through the air.
Students of soccer (sorry, soccer) may recognize this phenomenon as the thing that causes an expertly kicked ball to curve around the opposing team’s legs like magic. It also occurs in baseball, tennis, ping pong, and just about any other sport that involves a ball traveling through the air.
Here’s how it works in the Rotor Sail’s pipe-like architecture, as described by Norsepower:
“When wind meets the spinning rotor sail, the airflow accelerates on one side of the rotor sail and decelerates on the other side of the rotor sail. The change in the speed of the airflow results in a pressure difference, creating a lift force that is perpendicular to the wind direction.”
Norsepower notes that its inner workings are based on the Flettner Rotor, a technology attributed to early 20th-century Finnish engineer Sigurd Savonius. Anton Flettner adopted the name after demonstrating the device during an Atlantic crossing in 1926.
A description of the Flettner Rotor at work, Ajay Menon of MarineInsight notes that “… rotor sails are powered by small engines housed in the hull, while the rotors themselves extend vertically upwards for propulsion. As they spin, the Magnus effect comes into play and a horizontal thrust is applied to generated backwards [that’s the rear] of the vessel. The main source of energy is the motors that drive the rotors, while the output is provided by the relative movement of the surrounding air.”
Wind energy and energy efficiency
It took nearly 100 years for rotor sail technology to come close to commercial development, but Norsepower’s wind power solution eventually surpassed the CleanTechnica radar in 2015, when we learned about the energy efficiency angle.
“In favorable wind conditions, Norsepower Rotor Sails allows the vessel to reverse the main engines, delivering the power needed to maintain speed and travel time, while reducing fuel and emissions,” we were excited. “Rotor Sails can be installed on new vessels or retrofitted to existing vessels without the need for the vessel – potentially multi-million dollar assets – to be out of service, known as off-hire.”
In the following years, the name Norsepower popped up when the subject turned to odd-looking wind harvesting equipment or wind-powered freighters, but the really big news didn’t come until two years ago, when Norsepower reminded everyone that its rotor sails can tilt. at the touch of a button in a horizontal position.
That’s important because, as a retrofit, the new sails won’t prevent a ship from passing under bridges it could previously navigate.
More wind energy for cleaner shipping
So it looks like you can have your energy efficient wind power cake and eat it too.
“Based on global wind statistics, the available effective power of the Rotor Sails is subtracted from the main engine power per specific DWT and Vref speed,” explains Norsepower. “The improvement in the EEDI [Energy Efficiency Design Index] achieved rating can be up to 20% for suitable Rotor Sail arrangements and optimal configuration on a ship.
Even without the skyrocketing fuel costs, Norsepower notes that the savings in greenhouse gas emissions are a plus for stakeholders committed to meeting industry-wide goals for saving the planet.
“To meet the International Maritime Organization’s 2030 and 2050 carbon reduction targets and longer-term global zero-carbon shipping targets, shipowners can invest in green ship technology to reduce their emissions. The technology is available on the market today and is delivering proven results,” explains Norsepower, adding that its wind power technology contributes to “the reduction of GHG and other emissions such as SOx, NOx, PM from ships, as each Rotor Sail is directly company. replaces the main propulsion power typically derived from fossil fuels.
In a press release earlier this month, Norsepower CEO Tuomas Riski reminded stakeholders that the company’s wind energy technology would help meet the targets of two new climate-related indices under the International Maritime Organization, namely the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index and the Carbon Intensity Indicator. Both initiatives will come into effect early next year, which is just around the corner.
What’s next for Norsepower
Stakeholders eager to get their hands on a Rotor Sail or two won’t have long to wait. The new agreement with Nefco will enable Norsepower to accelerate its plans for production at plants in Asia.
The scheme is supported by a feasibility study conducted by Nefco’s Nordic Project Fund, which aims to expand the international footprint of Norway’s small and medium-sized businesses.
“This loan agreement is the culmination of our fruitful collaboration with Norsepower. Norsepower’s modern sailing technology is fascinating and offers one solution for the marine industry facing increasing costs and environmental constraints,” said Nefco Investment Director Helena Lähteenmäki.
Meanwhile, Norsepower is working on its next wind energy refurbishment, which will go to global logistics company CLdN for a vessel named MV Delphinebuilt in 2018.
This is one that is sure to grab the attention of shippers everywhere. the MV Delphine is not just any old craft.
“The MV Delphine, a vessel with a cargo capacity of nearly 8,000 track meters, sails between the UK, Ireland and Europe and is currently the largest shortsea Ro-Ro vessel in the world,” explains Norsepower. “With two 35mx5m Rotor Sails, Norsepower estimates that the technology would deliver fuel and emissions savings of 7 to 10% for this vessel, depending on the route.”
Now that Russia has tried (and has so far failed) to hold the global fuel and food supply hostage through war crimes and state terrorism, all the more reason for the global shipping industry to shake off as much of the fossil energy chain as it can.
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Photo: wind energy for energy-efficient shipping courtesy of Norsepower.
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