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NJORD EXPLORES WIND ASSISTED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
Njord’s mission? To assist shipowners and charterers in transitioning to greener technologies. At the forefront of this movement is wind assisted propulsion systems, with over 30 installations already in place and predictions of 50 by 2024.
But why, if wind is "free fuel," is the industry's embrace not more widespread? Njord has identified key barriers: complexity of available solutions, inability to guarantee fuel savings in varying conditions, high deployment costs, and energy constraints. Yet, despite these hurdles, the potential for wind technology to enhance financial performance while reducing carbon emissions remains strong.
To shed light on these challenges and potentials, five industry experts join Njord in a panel discussion:
Lauren Eatwell: As the Head of Windwings at Bar Technologies, she introduced their 37.5-meter wind wing which consists of three adjustable aerofoil shapes for optimal performance across different wind conditions.
Cristina Aleixendri: The COO and co-founder of bound4blue, she presented the E Sail, a high lift device resembling an airplane wing that maximizes fuel and emission savings.
Jukka Kuuskoski: From Norsepower, he shared insights about their rotor sail, a modern take on the Flettner rotor. This technology utilizes the Magnus effect to create thrust for ships.
Jean-Charles Lecuyer: Representing Oceanbird, he discussed their Oceanbird 560 - a rigid wing sail system made of high strength carbon steel and glass fiber. It's versatile in adjusting to varying wind conditions, can rotate 360 degrees, and has a design to optimize propulsive effects.
Steen Jacobsen: Lastly, as Njord's Technical Director and a seasoned professional from Maersk, Steen brought a deep understanding of the shipping industry's dynamics.
Audience participation is encouraged throughout, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of this evolving green technology in the maritime sector.
Join us in this journey towards a greener maritime world!
Bound4blue: Cristina mentions that they have installed units on three ships and have ongoing projects in other segments. The units vary in height with some up to 36 meters. They collaborate with prominent companies such as Louis Dreyfus Company and Marubeni Corporation. Cristina discusses an installation on the MS Traveller, a general cargo ship, where they anticipate 10-15% fuel savings. Actual results showed speed increases and fuel consumption reductions on particular routes. Overall, they expect a payback period of less than five years.
Bar Tech: Lauren says they've recently launched their first wind wings. They have two vessels operational, with one having two wind wings and the other four. Initial results on fuel savings are being obtained.
Norsepower: Jukka informs that Norsepower was established in 2014. They've installed units on several ships with more upcoming installations due to increasing demand. Fuel savings typically range between 5 to 25%, depending on wind conditions and ship configurations. In optimal conditions, savings can go up to 70%.
Maersk Tankers: Steen reflects on a project where they used Norsepower's rotor sails. They aimed for a 10% yearly saving but achieved 8.2%. The test was considered successful, especially for future efficiency calculations based on wind averages.
The discussion delves into how wind propulsion systems can be integrated with other energy-saving technologies and the process of determining the most advantageous routes to harness the maximum benefits from wind propulsion.
Steen provided insight into addressing energy constraints on ships. Before diving into propulsion, they first look at the overall power consumption on ships. They employ optimization techniques such as the use of LED lights and variable frequency drives to reduce the energy demands on board. This proactive approach to energy optimization clears the path for the integration of innovative technologies like Norsepower's rotor sails. If there's a desire to integrate more rotors than the available power permits, they consider retrofitting with power take-off systems. While this addition complicates the business perspective, rising fuel costs and the push towards greener fuels make the approach financially justifiable. To determine the best possible mix of technologies, they undergo a combined and detailed investigation.
Lauren from Bar Technologies stressed the importance of route optimization for wind propulsion. She mentioned that while traditional transatlantic routes offer consistent and favorable wind conditions, the savings can vary significantly based on the specific route taken. On average, one can expect a fuel-saving of 1.5 tons per wing per day. However, on particularly favorable routes, this number can jump to 8-9 tons per day per wing. For this reason, a case-by-case analysis of each route is essential to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Echoing Lauren's sentiments, Cristina highlighted that while routes like the North Atlantic and North Pacific are particularly suitable for wind propulsion, others such as the Mediterranean might not offer as much return on investment. Thus, it becomes crucial for ship owners to evaluate each potential route individually.
Steen added more depth to the topic of route optimization. He explained that by collaborating with suppliers and employing simulation tools, it becomes possible to accurately forecast the potential benefits of wind propulsion for specific routes. Having a robust theoretical basis, as demonstrated in the Maersk Pelican case, greatly simplifies the business decision-making process.
Lastly, Jukka touched upon the significance of voyage optimization. He shared that Norsepower has formed a strategic partnership with a company named Napa, focusing on voyage optimization. This collaboration aims to work with any route optimization entity to extract the maximum benefits from wind propulsion. With proper planning, fuel-saving performance can see improvements ranging from 20% to a staggering 100%. While the optimized route suggested might not always be the shortest, it's designed to make the most of the sails' performance, which in turn offers invaluable assistance to captains during navigation decisions.
