Friday, May 26, 2017

Experimental Wind Propulsion Project for Freight Ships Requests Partner for Data Analysis

High Potential for Resurrected Technology
Shipping News Feature
UK – WORLDWIDE – We here at the Handy Shipping Guide have reported before on the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) project to study the possible use of Flettner Rotors as supplementary power sources to freight vessels, Now the ETI has launched a request for proposals seeking partners for a new project to analyse data from its Flettner rotor project which aims to cuts fuel consumption and emissions in ships.

In March the ETI, in partnership with Norsepower, Maersk Tankers, and Shell Shipping & Maritime, announced that it planned to install and trial Flettner rotor sails on-board a Maersk Tankers-owned vessel. Maersk Tankers will supply a 109,647-deadweight tonne (DWT) Long Range 2 (LR2) product tanker vessel which will be retrofitted with two 30m tall by 5m diameter Norsepower Rotor Sails. Combined, these are expected to reduce average fuel consumption on typical global shipping routes by 7-10%.

The project will be the first installation of wind-powered energy technology on a product tanker vessel, and will provide insights into fuel savings and operational experience. The rotor sails will be fitted during the first half of 2018, before undergoing testing and data analysis at sea until the end of 2019.

Once the Flettner rotors are installed performance data will be gathered to evaluate performance and provide evidence to ship owners and operators on their effectiveness. The ETI is asking for proposals for to assist with The Flettner Vessel Performance Monitoring, Data Analysis and System Modelling Project, which will design, install and commission a means of gathering performance data from the recently announced Flettner rotor project.

The new project will design, install and commission a means of gathering performance and operational data during the sea trials to evaluate the performance of the Flettner rotors, allowing ship owners and operators to determine if Flettner rotors are appropriate for their vessels.

The request for proposals will close at noon on 18 July; the deadline for notification of intention to submit a proposal is 12 June 2017. The Request for Proposals can be found HERE.

Further details on the HDV Flettner Rotor Project can be found HERE.

Photo: The first Flettner rotored ship Buckau, constructed in 1924.