Watch: Wing sail design unfurled for maritime use
S. Himmelstein | June 14, 2021A new approach to harnessing wind energy to help decarbonize the maritime sector is being advanced by the Michelin Group. The Wing Sail Mobility (WISAMO) Project is advancing an automated, telescopic and inflatable wing sail system to provide propulsion for commercial shipping and pleasure craft.
Deployment of the inflatable wing sail is expected to help operators reduce fuel consumption as well as carbon dioxide emissions. Depending on the type of vessel, route and weather conditions, Michelin said the system can improve a ship’s fuel efficiency by up to 20%.
The WISAMO system can be installed on most merchant ships and leisure craft and is considered especially suitable for ro-ro ships, bulk carriers, and oil and gas tankers. The concept has been developed so that it can be fitted as original equipment on newbuilds or retrofitted on in-service vessels.
The first installation on a merchant ship is scheduled for 2022 when Michelin expects the sail to go into production following the completion of a trial phase.
With only a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions, you won't see many of these on the high seas. If they could be used for 95% of the time, they might be used. Have a ship that uses a motor only for rough seas and docking. But the increased time and delay in cargo delivery will cause the system not to be used.
In reply to #2
20% is a lot...