Judges describe world’s first renewable energy-powered vessel technology as “unlike anything else and…truly innovative”
Norsepower Oy Ltd., the developer of the world’s first renewable energy-powered vessel technology, has received the ‘Innovation of the Year’ accolade at the 2016 Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards’ ceremony, which took place at Electric and Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam.
Now in its third year, the Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards recognizes and honors the world’s finest manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, innovations and products, in electric and hybrid marine propulsion.
The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution is a modernized version of the Flettner rotor – a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to propel a ship. When the wind conditions are favorable, Norsepower Rotor Sails allow the main engines to be throttled back, saving fuel and reducing emissions while providing the power needed to maintain speed and voyage time. Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution is fully automated and senses whenever the wind is strong enough to deliver fuel savings, at which point the rotors start automatically – minimizing crew time and resource. It can be used with new vessels or can be retrofitted on existing ships without off-hire costs.
The technology is the first data-verified and commercially viable auxiliary wind propulsion solution for the global maritime industry. To date, independent data analysis indicates that up to 20 percent fuel savings per year can be achieved on windy routes, with sufficient sized Rotor Sails, and appropriate service speed. In commercial operation aboard the M/S Estraden, a 9,700DWT Ro-Ro carrier, two small units of Norsepower’s Rotor Sails have reduced fuel consumption by 6.1 percent. This saving has been measured and independently verified by NAPA, the leading maritime data analysis, software and services provider.
Commenting on the award win, Norsepower CEO Tuomas Riski said, “We strongly believe that the ability to harness the wind as an additional power source and enable a reduction in fuel consumption is the next natural step for the shipping industry. Our technology is paving the way for returning shipping to sail power as it looks to play its role in transforming to the low carbon economy.”
Each of Norsepower’s Rotor Sails is made using lightweight composite sandwich materials, offering a simple yet structurally sound, and hi-tech solution. In addition, Norsepower complies with the highest health and safety standards, with the Rotor Sail Solution certified to remain robust in all weather conditions. The Rotor Sail is typically delivered as part of a full-service solution that includes both delivery and maintenance of the hardware and software components.
