Norsepower Oy Ltd., along with project partners Maersk Tankers, Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) and Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd., announced successful trial results of two Norsepower Rotor Sails onboard the Maersk Tankers product tanker, Maersk Pelican.
The Rotor Sails deliver auxiliary wind propulsion to the vessel, which have operated in conditions ranging from tropical climate to arctic conditions in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia, resulting in the optimisation of energy efficiency and a reduction in fuel consumption.
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The Rotor Sails were installed on board Maersk Pelican in August 2018. As part of the test, the aggregated total fuel saved from 1 September 2018 to 1 September 2019 was 8.2% savings. This is equal to about 1,400 tonnes of CO2.
Independent experts from Lloyd’s Register’s (LR’s) Ship Performance Group have analysed and validated the performance data during the project to ensure an impartial assessment. In addition, technical and operational insights for performance studies will also be published.
“During the one-year trial period on Maersk Pelican, crew and operators have reported positively on the usability, safety and performance of the Rotor Sails in all conditions,” informs Tommy Thomassen, Chief Technical Officer at Maersk Tankers, adding that:
We see wind technology as one of the technologies that can give us a real breakthrough in reducing CO2 and help us achieve our emission-reduction target of 30% by 2021. We will closely follow the development around the financial and commercial viability of the technology for potential future installations on some of our other larger vessels, while we have decided that Maersk Pelican will continue to sail with the Rotor Sails
In addition, during a simulation model, Norsepower presents that with the currently installed Rotor Sails operating in global average wind conditions of all shipping routes, can lead to a savings potential up to 12% on fuel and emissions, including CO2. According to the same simulation model, Norsepower estimates that applying Rotor Sail technology to the entire global tanker fleet would reduce annual CO2 emissions by more than 30 million metric tonnes.
When wind conditions are favourable the main engines can be throttled back, saving fuel and reducing emissions, while maintaining speed and voyage time. Each Norsepower Rotor Sail is made using lightweight composite sandwich materials, aiming to make sure that the Rotor Sail remains well-balanced.
Successfully demonstrating this technology at scale shows its capability to significantly reduce fuel costs and environmental impact of the shipping industry. On certain routes during the trial the vessel achieved fuel savings way beyond the average of 8,2 pct even with average wind conditions. There is a clear potential to achieve higher fuel savings, and hence CO2 savings, on routes with more favourable wind conditions, which further improves the commercial viability of the technology
stated Darryl Hylands, Programme Manager, HDV, Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).
