Harnessing wind energy on merchant ships: case study Flettner rotors onboard bulk carriers

Abstract

Shipping faces challenges of reducing the dependence on fossil fuels to align with the international regulations of ship emissions reduction. The maritime industry is in urgent need of searching about alternative energy sources for ships. This paper highlights the applicability of harnessing wind power for ships. Flettner rotors as a clean propulsion technology for commercial ships are introduced. As a case study, one of the bulk carrier ships operating between Damietta port in Egypt and Dunkirk port in France has been investigated. The results showed the high influence of the interaction between ship course and wind speed and direction on the net output power of Flettner rotors. The average net output power for each rotor will be 384 kW/h. Economically, the results reveal that the use of Flettner rotors will contribute to considerable savings, up to 22.28% of the annual ship’s fuel consumption. The pay-back period of the proposed concept will be 6 years with a considerable value of levelized cost of energy. Environmentally, NO x and CO 2 emissions will be reduced by 270.4 and 9272 ton/year with cost-effectiveness of $1912 and $55.8/ton, respectively, at annual interest rate of 10%.

The Pathway to Decarbonization: Flettner Rotor Application in Maritime Logistics

“…The ship's sailing must integrate to the forecasted weather to optimize the efficiency result of the Flettner rotor. In ideal conditions, the Flettner rotor achieves maximum performance at actual wind directions of 120 o and 240 o from the vessel's direction [11], [13]. The fuel efficiency also will be higher in high actual wind velocity and slow ship speed [11].…”

“…The design of the Flettner rotor corresponds to the calculation of aerodynamics. Several numbers have to be calculated and simulated to get an optimal lifting force such as height and diameter of the rotor, the diameter of the endplate, material of rotor, rotation of the rotor, and power consumption to spin the rotor [7], [11]- [13], [19], [24], [29]- [31].…”

“…In ideal conditions, the Flettner rotor achieves maximum performance at actual wind directions of 120 o and 240 o from the vessel's direction [11], [13]. The fuel efficiency also will be higher in high actual wind velocity and slow ship speed [11]. Figure 3 shows the test results at a different angles of wind and velocity.…”

“…Flettner rotor is a technology that can reduce NOx, SOx, CO, and CO2 [11]. The expected lifting force of the Flettner rotor is produced from a spinning object that moving in the opposite direction [10].…”

Analysis on the Development of Wind-assisted Ship Propulsion Technology and Contribution to Emission Reduction

“…The International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates that by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport are expected to increase by 90-130% compared to 2008 [1] . In addition, ocean shipping accounts for 13% and 15% of global emissions of sulphides and ammoniacs as the global fleet still commonly uses diesel engines with heavy fuel oil containing high sulphur content [2] . Therefore, under the increasingly stringent emission regulations, there is an urgent need for the shipping industry to take measures to mitigate its negative impact on the environment and human health.…”