Wind-Assisted Propulsion for Ships
Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research
What it is
Wind-assisted propulsion refers to systems that use wind power to augment a ship’s main engine, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. These systems can take various forms, including rigid sails, kites, Flettner rotors, and other innovative technologies that harness aerodynamic forces.
Impact on climate action
Wind-Assisted Propulsion revolutionizes low-carbon marine transport, significantly reducing emissions by harnessing wind power alongside traditional propulsion systems. This innovation slashes reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating carbon footprints in maritime logistics. By leveraging natural elements, it catalyzes a sustainable shift in global shipping, crucial for combating climate change.
Underlying
Technology
- Aerodynamics: Wind-assisted propulsion systems leverage aerodynamic principles to generate propulsive force from the wind. Rigid sails utilize lift and drag forces, while kites generate lift by flying in a figure-eight pattern. Flettner rotors, large rotating cylinders, harness the Magnus effect, creating a pressure difference that generates thrust.
- Automation and Control Systems: Modern wind-assisted propulsion systems often incorporate advanced automation and control systems to optimize sail deployment, adjust to changing wind conditions, and ensure safe and efficient operation.
- Hybrid Propulsion: Many wind-assisted propulsion systems are integrated with a ship’s main engine to create a hybrid propulsion system, allowing for greater flexibility and optimal fuel efficiency.
TRL : Rigid sails and Flettner rotors are already commercially available and deployed on a number of vessels (TRL 9), while kite-based systems are at a slightly lower TRL (6-7) with ongoing pilot projects and demonstrations.
Prominent Innovation themes
- Smart Sails: These sails are equipped with sensors and actuators that can automatically adjust their shape and orientation to optimize performance in varying wind conditions.
- Dynamic Sails: Rigid sails that can rotate around the mast, allowing for greater maneuverability and efficiency in capturing wind energy.
- Kite Control Systems: Sophisticated kite control systems use algorithms and sensors to optimize the flight path of kites, maximizing lift and ensuring safe operation.
- Retrofit Solutions: Many wind-assisted propulsion systems can be retrofitted onto existing vessels, offering a cost-effective way to reduce emissions from the current fleet.
- Integration with Weather Routing: Advanced weather routing systems can be used to optimize ship routes to take advantage of prevailing winds and minimize fuel consumption.
Other Innovation Subthemes
- Aerodynamic Propulsion Systems
- Smart Sail Technology
- Dynamic Rigid Sails
- Kite-Assisted Propulsion
- Flettner Rotor Innovation
- Automation in Wind Propulsion
- Hybrid Wind Propulsion Systems
- Retrofitting Wind-Assisted Propulsion
- Sensor-Driven Sail Adjustment
- Maneuverable Sail Designs
- Advanced Kite Control Systems
- Wind-Assisted Propulsion Pilots
- Commercialization of Wind Propulsion
- Weather-Optimized Routing
- Fuel Efficiency Enhancement
Related Innovations
- Alternative Fuels for Ships
- Alternative Ship Propulsion Systems
- Blockchain for Maritime Supply Chain Transparency
- Digital Twins for Ship Design and Optimization
- Digitalization and Data Analytics in Low Carbon Marine
- Emissions Scrubbing Technologies for Ships
- Energy Efficient Onboard Systems for Ships
- Green Shipping Corridors
- Route Optimization in Marine transportation
- Ship Hull Design Optimization
- Shore Power and Cold Ironing for Ships
- Slow Steaming for Ships
- Sustainable Port Infrastructure
- Zero-Emission Ships
Sample Global Startups and Companies
- BOUND4BLUE:
- Technology Focus: BOUND4BLUE specializes in wind-assisted propulsion systems for commercial vessels. Their technology integrates innovative sail designs with traditional ship propulsion systems, harnessing wind power to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
- Uniqueness: Their approach stands out for its practicality and scalability, offering retrofit solutions that can be easily installed on existing vessels without major modifications. This approach makes wind-assisted propulsion more accessible to a wide range of shipowners.
- End-User Segments: Their target segments include shipping companies, freight operators, and cruise lines looking to reduce fuel costs, comply with environmental regulations, and enhance their sustainability credentials.
- Airseas:
- Technology Focus: Airseas focuses on kite-based propulsion systems for cargo ships. Their technology involves large-scale automated kites that harness wind power to provide additional thrust, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Uniqueness: Airseas’ unique selling point lies in the scalability and efficiency of their kite propulsion systems. By automating deployment and operation, they offer a practical solution that can be seamlessly integrated into existing vessel operations.
- End-User Segments: Their primary target segments are cargo shipping companies and freight operators seeking to optimize fuel efficiency, reduce operating costs, and meet sustainability targets.
- Norsepower:
- Technology Focus: Norsepower specializes in rotor sail solutions for commercial vessels. Their technology involves large cylindrical sails that utilize the Magnus effect to generate additional thrust, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
- Uniqueness: Norsepower’s rotor sail technology is notable for its simplicity and effectiveness. By harnessing wind power through a passive, mechanical system, they offer a low-maintenance solution that can deliver significant fuel savings across a wide range of vessel types.
- End-User Segments: Their target segments include shipping companies, ferry operators, and cruise lines seeking to improve fuel efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the sustainability of their operations.
Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities
- University of Southampton:
- Technology Enhancements: Researchers at the University of Southampton are working on advanced aerodynamic designs and materials for wind-assisted propulsion systems. They are employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel experiments to optimize the performance of sails and other wind-based propulsion technologies.
- Uniqueness of Research: The University of Southampton’s research stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from naval architecture, aerodynamics, and materials science. They are developing innovative sail designs that are lightweight, durable, and efficient, enabling ships to harness wind energy more effectively.
- End-use Applications: The research at the University of Southampton has applications in the shipping industry, particularly for reducing the carbon footprint of maritime transportation. Wind-assisted propulsion systems can complement traditional engine propulsion, leading to significant fuel savings and emissions reductions for both cargo and passenger vessels.
- Technical University of Delft:
- Technology Enhancements: Researchers at the Technical University of Delft are focusing on the integration of wind-assisted propulsion systems with existing ship designs. They are developing retrofit solutions and hybrid propulsion configurations that combine wind, solar, and conventional power sources to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
- Uniqueness of Research: The uniqueness of the research at TU Delft lies in its emphasis on practical implementation and scalability. They are conducting field trials and pilot projects with industry partners to validate the performance and feasibility of wind-assisted propulsion technologies in real-world maritime operations.
- End-use Applications: The research at TU Delft has direct applications for the maritime shipping sector, especially for large container ships, bulk carriers, and cruise liners. Wind-assisted propulsion systems can help shipowners comply with emission regulations, reduce fuel costs, and enhance their environmental sustainability credentials.
- University of Tokyo:
- Technology Enhancements: Researchers at the University of Tokyo are exploring innovative wind-assisted propulsion concepts inspired by nature and biomimicry. They are studying the aerodynamics of marine organisms such as jellyfish and albatrosses to design bio-inspired sail and wing structures that optimize energy capture and propulsion efficiency.
- Uniqueness of Research: The University of Tokyo’s research is unique for its emphasis on bio-inspired design principles and unconventional propulsion concepts. By mimicking the natural mechanisms of marine creatures, they aim to develop more efficient and adaptive wind-assisted propulsion systems for ships.
- End-use Applications: The research at the University of Tokyo has potential applications across various maritime sectors, including commercial shipping, research vessels, and offshore installations. Bio-inspired wind-assisted propulsion systems can enhance the sustainability and resilience of marine transportation, contributing to the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
Commercial Implementation
Wind-assisted propulsion is already being commercially implemented, with a growing number of ships equipped with rigid sails, Flettner rotors, and kite-based systems. These technologies have demonstrated significant fuel savings and emission reductions in real-world operations. For example, the Norsepower Rotor Sail installed on the Maersk Pelican tanker achieved fuel savings of 8.2% during a 12-month trial period.
