Video: First Seawing kite system to set sail
S. Himmelstein | December 31, 2021A roll on-roll off cargo ship chartered by Airbus and operated by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs now boasts an automated kite for wind energy-assisted propulsion. The 500 m2 Seawing system is the first installed by wind propulsion solution developer Airseas on a commercial vessel.
The ship, which transports major aircraft components between France and the U.S., will deploy the Seawing on its monthly transatlantic journeys starting in January 2022. The kite system can be safely deployed, operated and stored at the push of a button, and can be retrofitted on a ship in two days.
The automated sail promises to deliver efficiency and emissions gains. Source: Airseas
Once deployed, the kite maintains a figure-eight trajectory at a speed over 100 km/h (62 mph), monitored and controlled by an automated system programmed to place the kite for maximum traction power. The Seawing computers also interface with the ship's navigation systems, monitoring forward wind conditions and re-routing the ship to take the most efficient path possible without affecting its arrival time.
[See also: Wing sail design unfurled for maritime use]
The full size Seawing designed by Airseas is a 1000 m2 parafoil that flies at an altitude of 300 m, capturing the strength of the wind to propel the vessel. Based on modeling and preliminary testing on land, Airseas estimates that the Seawing system will enable an average 20% reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
62mph seems a bit fast to me. A video of the sail in operation would be helpful.
In reply to #1
I agree. 62mph seems high for the ship, but perhaps is the wind speed? Clarification is needed on that stat.
Re-reading I think they meant that the kite reaches a speed of 62mph following it's "figure 8" trajectory. I've flown kites that are maneuverable and they can move quite fast in a slower wind. They pull like hell when they do, so this would be a good number for this application.
Normally a powered vessel gives way to a sail vessel. What is the case here now, as both are classed as sail? This will cause some confusion and reset the sailing rules world wide.
A bit of a catastrophe if the chute lets loose and fouls the props. But I am sure this is catered for in some way.