After extensive testing conducted at the Wolfson Unit of the University of Southampton, it has been confirmed that an appropriately rigged commercial vessel could achieve savings of fuel and reduce emissions by at least 30% per year.
The Wolfson Unit report analyzed performance predictions regarding thrust reductions or effective power reductions for a 125,000dwt vessel with two different combinations of rig devices. Namely, the team found that the rigs are essential to the effectiveness of Windship Technology’s True Zero Emission design.
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Commenting on the findings, Simon Rogers, Technical Director of Windship Technology, said that this technology can eliminate CO2, NOX, SOX and particulate matter to True Zero, by using large solar arrays, carbon capture, optimised hull shapes and specialised weather routing software.
More specifically, the invention will use aerofoil sails for bulk cargo vessels or large commercial oil tankers. The patent regards multiple pairs of leading and trailing aerofoil sections supported on a rotatable spar, and the angular position of the spar can be adjusted.
The 48m Windship Technology rig can be stowed on deck through a stowage solution to help port navigation and cargo handling.
The ship design is applicable for both ocean-going bulk carrier and oil tanker ships. Now, Windship Technology has entered into partnership investment with the classification society DNV GL, who will be conducting both an outside-in and inside-out verification to fully assess Windship Technology’s whole-ship design with a view to classifying emission reductions, safety and operability.
The company concluded that its design is “basically a ‘Tesla of the Seas’ solution for shipping.”
Additionally, Dr. Ing. Rodrigo Azcueta, Managing Director of Cape Horn Engineering, noted almost one thousand simulations were performed. These simulations helped improve the geometries of the wing assembly, achieving a double-digit gain in aerodynamic performance was obtained.
