Sailing with wind-assisted propulsion in realistic wind conditions

Large ships (above 5000 gross tonnage), such as container ships, bulk carriers and tankers account for approximately 90% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions caused by the maritime sector today. For these types of vessels zero-emission solutions, such as electrification, are not readily available. It is thus of the utmost importance to find other solutions to decarbonise them. One emerging technology, particularly suited for large vessels, is modern wind assisted propulsion systems (WAPS). WAPS have the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 60% and thus significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To realise and maximise the potential of WAPS it is crucial to have an in-depth understanding of the complex wind conditions experienced at sea and understand how WAPS should be utilized to meet this challenge in an optimal way. Wind conditions experienced in shipping can vary greatly dependent on the route (deep sea, coastal, etc.), but also within one trip. WAPS thus need to be designed to function in a wide range of wind conditions. This is further complicated by the movement induced by the vessel itself. Being an emerging technology, the full impact of the dynamic real world wind conditions on WAPS is not yet fully understood. reSail will advance wind-assisted propulsion by improving the understanding of the wind conditions faced by WAPS. On ship wind measurements together with wind tunnel measurements and modelling work will enable the improvement of control, placement and implementation to realise the full fuel and emission saving potential of WAPS.

Wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) have the potential to contribute significantly to the decarbonization of international shipping. They are particularly suited for large vessels, which contribute heavily to global emissions from the maritime industry. To maximise the potential of wind-assisted propulsion the wind conditions WAPS are facing and how they affect wind propulsion ships need to be well understood. reSail will address this challenge by generating full-scale measurement data from a demonstrator ship, examining the ideal placement of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) on a ship, developing advanced aerodynamic models and control strategies to make the newly acquired knowledge available to a broad audience and finally assess the implications of complex wind conditions on ship operation. This will be obtained by a combination of methods ranging from, field measurements on a sea-going vessel, laboratory scale experiments in tailored flow conditions, to simulations of both individual components, such as the control system, as well as the ship holistically. The project will be conducted by a strong consortium comprised of three research institutions with strong competence in maritime transport, fluid mechanics, control strategies and ship operation, both experimentally and numerically, as well as key industry actors in shipping, wind-assisted propulsion and Geo-data. Close collaboration between the partners and among the different tasks in the project will advance wind-assisted propulsion and thus efficient green shipping in Norway.