An average towing force of 3 tons (30kN) is generated by the wind (approx. 11 m/s), pulling the 55-meter long research vessel “Beaufort“ equipped with the SkySails propulsion. These figures represent a fuel saving of 1,200 litres a day at speeds between 5 and 12 knots. “Within the framework of 27 test cruises on the North and Baltic Seas, researchers were able to demonstrate, that a SkySail of 80m² can produce a tractive force of seven tons at wind forces up to 6 Bft.”, according to Prof. Dr. Schlaak, scientific manager of the project from the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhemshaven (FH OOW).
This year of intensive research has confirmed the expectations of SkySails' engineers. “Even the tests with our smallest system have impressively confirmed our expectations regarding the savings potential“, says SkySails managing partner, Stephan Wrage, who wants to apply these test results to the first ships of pilot customers as soon as possible. “Towing kites of twice the size can be employed on the Beaufort, which, according to the research results, can save up to 2,400 litres of fuel per day”, says Wrage. “Currently the first SkySails-Systems are being installed on pilot customers' cargo ships to test the application of the towing kite in practical operation. From 2008 we will be able to deliver towing kites of up to 320m² in size.“
By the end of this year, the test results will be applied to other ship classes using model calculations, in order to identify the fossil fuel savings potential on standard shipping routes. The SkySails-System's potential contribution to climate protection can be assessed in consideration of global wind conditions.
Performance tests were carried out within the framework of the research project, “climate protection: wind propulsion for cargo ships“, performed by the independent establishments from the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhemshaven in Emden - the Institute for Applied Economic Research and Regional Analysis (ANWI) and the Institute for Navigation Leer. The project, which will be completed by the end of this year, has a total volume of approx. 2.5 million €, of which 1.78 million € are co-funded by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (Federal Ministry for Education and Research).
About the BMBF research project “climate protection: wind propulsion for cargo ships”
The Federal Ministry for Education and Research is funding the 18 month research project “climate protection: wind propulsion for cargo ships” in the area of renewable energies in shipping. The evaluation of the global fuel and emissions savings potential on ships of the world trade fleet is the central objective of this project. The project network consists of the Institute for Applied Economic Research and Regional Analysis (ANWI) at the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhelmshaven in Emden, the Institute for Navigation Leer, and the Hamburg partner SkySails GmbH & Co. KG.
The practical application of the SkySails-System is being examined on the research ship “Beaufort”. Additionally, a training and deployment concept for the SkySails-Systems' practical application on ships is being developed.
Cargo shipping and the environment
The use of cheap and highly sulfurous fuel oil places cargo shipping among the main global producers of climate-damaging gases. Experts from “Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance” (London) estimate that shipping is responsible for 10 million tons of sulfur dioxide emissions per year, which corresponds to more than 7% of the worldwide emissions. By using the SkySails technology on a global scale, it would be possible to reduce the annual emissions of SO2 and CO2.
About the ANWI Institute
The ANWI Institute is a research unit of the Department of Research of the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhemshaven based in Emden. This unit was established in 2002 and carries out regional and cross-regional projects in both the private and public sectors. It specializes in regional and structural analysis, mainly in the area of traffic and logistical research on the movement of people and goods, and the collection of statistics for market research and development projects. Additionally, the ANWI Institute takes on interdisciplinary process and project management tasks.
About the Institute for Navigation Leer
The Navigation School Leer – today the “Institute for Navigation Leer”- is part of the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/ Wilhelmshaven and has been training captains and nautical officers for the German trade fleet for the last 150 years. Through their well-established staff training they make a considerable contribution to the safety of shipping and the protection of oceans and coasts.
About SkySails
SkySails is developing an internationally patent-pending propulsion system making wind available as a free of charge energy source for cargo ships. The SkySails company was founded in 2001 and now comprises a team of 43 employees. A unique network of external partners and high-performing suppliers supports the development. Worldwide, up to 60,000 trade ships and fish trawlers can be equipped with the SkySails-System. The Hamburg-based company aims to equip a minimum of 1,500 cargo ships and fish trawlers and numerous super yachts with the cost-saving and emission-neutral wind propulsion system by the year 2015.
This year of intensive research has confirmed the expectations of SkySails' engineers. “Even the tests with our smallest system have impressively confirmed our expectations regarding the savings potential“, says SkySails managing partner, Stephan Wrage, who wants to apply these test results to the first ships of pilot customers as soon as possible. “Towing kites of twice the size can be employed on the Beaufort, which, according to the research results, can save up to 2,400 litres of fuel per day”, says Wrage. “Currently the first SkySails-Systems are being installed on pilot customers' cargo ships to test the application of the towing kite in practical operation. From 2008 we will be able to deliver towing kites of up to 320m² in size.“
By the end of this year, the test results will be applied to other ship classes using model calculations, in order to identify the fossil fuel savings potential on standard shipping routes. The SkySails-System's potential contribution to climate protection can be assessed in consideration of global wind conditions.
Performance tests were carried out within the framework of the research project, “climate protection: wind propulsion for cargo ships“, performed by the independent establishments from the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhemshaven in Emden - the Institute for Applied Economic Research and Regional Analysis (ANWI) and the Institute for Navigation Leer. The project, which will be completed by the end of this year, has a total volume of approx. 2.5 million €, of which 1.78 million € are co-funded by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (Federal Ministry for Education and Research).
About the BMBF research project “climate protection: wind propulsion for cargo ships”
The Federal Ministry for Education and Research is funding the 18 month research project “climate protection: wind propulsion for cargo ships” in the area of renewable energies in shipping. The evaluation of the global fuel and emissions savings potential on ships of the world trade fleet is the central objective of this project. The project network consists of the Institute for Applied Economic Research and Regional Analysis (ANWI) at the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhelmshaven in Emden, the Institute for Navigation Leer, and the Hamburg partner SkySails GmbH & Co. KG.
The practical application of the SkySails-System is being examined on the research ship “Beaufort”. Additionally, a training and deployment concept for the SkySails-Systems' practical application on ships is being developed.
Cargo shipping and the environment
The use of cheap and highly sulfurous fuel oil places cargo shipping among the main global producers of climate-damaging gases. Experts from “Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance” (London) estimate that shipping is responsible for 10 million tons of sulfur dioxide emissions per year, which corresponds to more than 7% of the worldwide emissions. By using the SkySails technology on a global scale, it would be possible to reduce the annual emissions of SO2 and CO2.
About the ANWI Institute
The ANWI Institute is a research unit of the Department of Research of the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhemshaven based in Emden. This unit was established in 2002 and carries out regional and cross-regional projects in both the private and public sectors. It specializes in regional and structural analysis, mainly in the area of traffic and logistical research on the movement of people and goods, and the collection of statistics for market research and development projects. Additionally, the ANWI Institute takes on interdisciplinary process and project management tasks.
About the Institute for Navigation Leer
The Navigation School Leer – today the “Institute for Navigation Leer”- is part of the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/ Wilhelmshaven and has been training captains and nautical officers for the German trade fleet for the last 150 years. Through their well-established staff training they make a considerable contribution to the safety of shipping and the protection of oceans and coasts.
About SkySails
SkySails is developing an internationally patent-pending propulsion system making wind available as a free of charge energy source for cargo ships. The SkySails company was founded in 2001 and now comprises a team of 43 employees. A unique network of external partners and high-performing suppliers supports the development. Worldwide, up to 60,000 trade ships and fish trawlers can be equipped with the SkySails-System. The Hamburg-based company aims to equip a minimum of 1,500 cargo ships and fish trawlers and numerous super yachts with the cost-saving and emission-neutral wind propulsion system by the year 2015.
