One of the largest offshore areas in the U.S. with shallow water is off Cape Cod, where a major wind farm has been approved.

The construction of these farms have given rise to a new class of ship:  the Turbine Installation Vessel.

Turbine Installation Vessels (TIV)

The first purpose built TIV was the TIV Mayflower Resolution, currently known as the TIV Resolution & owned by MPI Offshore.  This vessel utilizes both dynamic positioning & jack-up technology.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Equipped with 6 retractable legs, the Resolution will set up on location using DP, then elevated out of the water using the jack-up legs.  This provides a stable platform to install the turbine on top of a previously prepared foundation.  Once installed, the Resolution lowers back down to the water & moves to the next location, where the process is repeated.  She has the capacity to carry 10 wind turbines.

What are the benefits to building offshore?

Offshore wind turbines are less obtrusive than turbines on land, as their apparent size and noise is mitigated by distance. Because water has less surface roughness than land (especially deeper water), the average wind speed is usually considerably higher over open water.

What about the cost?

Offshore installation is generally more expensive than onshore, depending on the location. Offshore towers are a fair bit taller than onshore towers once the submerged height is included, making the foundation more expensive to build.

Offshore saltwater environments also raise maintenance costs by corroding the towers, but fresh-water locations such as the Great Lakes do not. Repairs and maintenance are usually more costly than on onshore turbines, motivating operators to reduce the number of wind turbines for a given total power by installing the largest available units.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Offshore saltwater wind turbines are outfitted with extensive corrosion protection measures like coatings and cathodic protection, which may not be required in fresh water locations.

Transporting the components

Transporting large wind turbine components (tower sections, nacelles, and blades) is much easier over water than on land, because ships and barges can handle large loads more easily than trucks or trains. On land, large goods vehicles must negotiate bends on roadways, which fixes the maximum length of a wind turbine blade that can move from point to point on the road network; no such limitation exists for transport on open water.

Offshore wind turbines will probably continue to be the largest turbines in operation, since the high fixed costs of the installation are spread over more energy production, reducing the average cost. Turbine components (rotor blades, tower sections) can be transported by barge, making large parts easier to transport offshore than on land, where turn clearances and underpass clearances of available roads limit the size of turbine components that can be moved by truck.

Similarly, large construction cranes are difficult to move to remote wind farms on land, but crane vessels easily move over water.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What challenges must be overcome?

Offshore wind projects must strike a viable balance between technological and economic challenges.

Offshore technology has had to adapt to operate successfully in a more challenging environment. Tough weather conditions, which can limit access for routine maintenance, and the saline environment create the need for more robust turbine parts. This in turn means higher costs, which are not always offset by the higher productivity due to the higher offshore winds.

Continued operational R&D, and policy support that recognizes the value added from renewable energy projects like offshore and onshore wind, will go a long way toward resolving these challenges.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As positioning capabilities have been improved to the point where a vessel can now sit on a (virtual) dime, the focus  now shifts towards refinement.  Making vessels more efficient is not only the right thing to do for the environment, it also makes good business sense.  As legislation continually moves towards stricter emission controls, companies that are taking the initiative now will remain ahead of the curve, staying competitive in the process.

Lets take a look at some of the improvments that are being made on DP components & technologies, in an effort to make them greener.

Dynamic Positioning Systems

Always at the forefront of DP Controllers, Kongsberg has released the GreenDP® system.

Compared to existing DP systems, GreenDP has been designed with the focus of reducing fuel consumption.  It accomplishes this with its controller design, which consists of 2 parts:

1. Environment Compensator
2. Model Predictive Controller

The Environment Compensator is designed to give slowly varying thruster demand, compensating for average environmental forces.  This demand will maintain the wanted position under average conditions, but reacts very leisurely to a changing environment.  In this way the power consumption is more stable & the usage is reduced.

The Predictive controller uses a forecast of the vessels movements as an input & takes action during larger changes in external forces.  The prediction is considered in conjunction with pre-set boundaries.  When the prediction indicates that the boundaries will be broken the controller reacts swiftly, thereby insuring that the vessel will stay within the operational area.

Kongsberg indicates that this new control strategy will reduce fuel consumption by approximately 20%.  Additionally it will result in reduced wear & tear on mechanical parts of the power & thruster system, thus reducing maintenance costs.

The graph below shows the power consumption of a normal DP system compared to the GreenDP system, with exactly the same wind, waves & current.  It is seen that the variation in much lower for the GreenDP.  In a real world application this means that the number of generators running may be reduced, resulting in significant fuel savings.

Existing SDP systems can be easily upgraded to GreenDP by replacing the SBC & updating the software.

Hull Design

The most significant innovation in hull design this decade is the X-Bow, designed by the Ulstein Group.  This inverted bow design improves handling in rough sea conditions & increased fuel efficiency by displacing waves rather than slamming on top of them.  This is possible by the increased reserve buoyancy afforded by the large freeboard.

The idea for the X-Bow was conceived in 2003 as a result of a think tank collaboration between a group of industrial designers who knew about industrial design, but didn’t know anything about OSVs and a group of hardcore naval architects and ship designers who had extensive shipbuilding knowledge.

3 years later the first X-Bow AHTS was delivered: The Bourbon Orca.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Propulsion

Although not currently in use in the offshore, CRP Azipod technology will likely make its way there due to the improved hydrodynamic properties of the propulsion system, which lowers fuel consumption & could offer some interesting positioning capabilities.

Counter Rotating Propellers work by fitting a steerable azipod thruster inline with the  traditional fixed stern propellers.  The azipod propeller is smaller than the main prop to avoid cavitation & has a different number of blades, to avoid resonance.

The azipod propeller rotates in a direction opposite to the main propeller, at a slower speed.  It acts as the vessels rudder & as it has the ability to rotate through 360 degrees it would be very useful for positioning.

The azipods steering controls meet IMO & Class standards & can be used with DP & Autopilot systems.

Fuel Technology & Power Generation

Pressure to decrease Sulphur Oxide (SOx) emissions from marine vessels has increased the demand for low sulphur marine fuels.  Canada & the USA are planning to set limits to emmisions from vessels within their territorial waters. These fuels work well with systems designed for their use, but can cause engine problems on older vessels.

Marine BioDiesel is also starting to gain a foothold.  Biodiesel is non-toxic, readily biodegradable and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.  Some benefits are:

• Non-Toxic
• Biodegradable
• Cleaner exhaust
• Higher flashpoint vs. conventional diesel
• Superior lubricity

Because Biodiesel can replace or blend with petroleum diesel with little or no engine modifications, it is a viable alternative to several categories of the marine industry, including: recreational boats, inland commercial and ocean-going commercial ships, research vessels, and the U.S. Coast Guard Fleet.

Innovative generator arrangements consisting of various sizes of diesel generators allows optimization of different combinations of diesel mechanic and diesel electric drive. Advanced systems control the generator sets’ operating conditions for minimising fuel consumption and emissions of NOx and CO₂.  The recently launched Havila Venus is equipped with this system & was named the Greenest AHTS in the World.

From the gCaptain Archives:

In honor of the EPA’s Pollution Week, let’s take a look at an archived post on Skysails. But first, here is a brief update into the current state of affairs provided by Skysails:

Within the framework of the pilot phase, the SkySails-System is being explored on board the MS “Michael A.” and the MS “Beluga SkySails” during regular shipping operations. Throughout these trials the system’s level of robustness and reliability is first of all being elevated to that demanded by our customers and its suitability for daily use established. Subsequently the system’s performance will be evaluated extensively and optimized.

On both ships – the “Michael A.” and the “Beluga SkySails” – the SkySails-System has been put into operation successfully. The customer vessels remain in regular commercial operation throughout the pilot phase. Initially, two to three SkySails engineers will be aboard of each ship. All components are being long-term tested during use of the SkySails-System on board. The results immediately flow into the process of improving and optimizing the product. Read full update…

On her maiden voyage, the Beluga SkySails set sail to Venezuela from Bremen on January 22, 2008 and reached the Norwegian port of Mo-I-Rana on March 13, 2008 after travelling a total of 11,952 nautical miles.

Archived post originally posted in Jan. ’08.

Three years ago at the World Expo in Aichi Japan SkySails promised a revolutionary design with the ability to reduce fuel consumption aboard ship by up to 24%. Last week the dream became reality. BBC News tells us:

There is something rather magical about being up on deck of a giant cargo ship as it pushes its way out to sea. Ten thousand tonnes of metal heaving through the water, the ship’s giant masts glistening in the winter sun. But there is something even more magical about being aboard MS Beluga SkySails. On the face of it, this vessel – which is carrying parts of a timber production line to Venezuela – looks like any other cargo ship.

MS Beluga SkySails believes its fuel bill will be cut by £800 ($1,560) a day. “We can demonstrate that you can combine economy and ecology,” Verena Frank of Beluga Shipping explains. “Economy, because you can reduce fuel consumption and fuel costs, and on the ecological side of things, we reduce emissions.”

The kite is controlled by computers. One computer helps it to fly in figures of eight in the sky – maximising the power it produces. Another computer adjusts the kite’s direction. If the project is successful, expect to see even bigger kites soon – some up to 5,000sq m (53,820sq ft) in size pulling ships across the seas and oceans. Read More…

Video

Also be sure to watch National Geographic’s Profile of SkySails.

Background

In 2001 skysails started with the development of
the world‘s first practicable towing kite propulsion
system for commercial shipping and luxury yachts.
then after five years of intense developmental work,
the basic research and engineering was completed
near the end of 2005. In early 2006 the final
development phase prior to the market launch of the
skysails-system began on board the approximately
55-meter buoy-laying vessel ms “Beaufort“.
The first skysails-systems are being installed on pi-
lot customer cargo ships in 2007.

Partnership

The MS Beluga SkySails, will carry the first parts of a complete particle board factory from Bemen to Venezuela on behalf of DHL Global Forwarding, the ocean and air freight carrier of the Deutsche Post World Net Group. The multipurpose vessel will set sail early next week. What makes it so special is a new wind propulsion system with a huge towing kite that provides additional thrust for the ship at sea – a sustainable solution for reducing fuel consumption, costs and emissions.

Why

The economic force driving the resurgence of interest in wind power is the rising cost of fuel oil, which has topped $100 a barrel in futures markets. A freighter’s fuel consumption can be cut by 10 percent to 15 percent if a kite is used to pull the ship.

In addition to fuel costs, ship emissions is an important environmental topic for the shipping industry. In a 2007 report published by The Environmental Science and Technology Journal 60,000 deaths per year worldwide were attributed to vessel emissions. The following map charts the annual increase in sulfur emissions in the world’s shipping lanes.

The Technology

(Source: National Post)

(Source: SkySails Brochure)

(Source: BBC News)

Beluga SkySails in the media:

• NPR – Bryant Park Project
• National Geographic Video
• NYTmes Blog Article

The Competition

SkySails is not the only company looking to provide alternative energy solutions to power commercial ships. From solar sails to wing kites various companies worldwide are looking for solutions that will benefit the environment and cut down on high fuel costs. Lets take a look at some of the technology currently being developed.

KiteShip

KiteShip – 2006 was been a good year for the California-based company KiteShip, which makes “very large free-flying sails”— basically, giant traction kites that harness the wind to pull very large free-floating objects. If you’ve ever gone to the beach and seen someone kite-surfing — standing on a board while being pulled by a kite — then you’ve seen a traction kite in action. KiteShip currently sells the Outleader, which helps increase yacht speeds. And it is working to improve the range and the speed of fast ferries and oceangoing research vessels without burning more fuel. Dave Culp, the engineer who helped found KiteShip, calls the three-person operation a “micromultinational.” Read More…

M/V Orcelle

M/V Orcelle – At 820 feet long ‘Orcelle’ is shorter than the Queen Mary 2 (1,132ft) and the QE2 (963ft). The ship is called the E/S Orcelle after the Orcelle Dolphin – the French word for Irrawaddy dolphin, one of the world’s most critically endangered species. The E/S stands for “environmentally sound ship”. The vessel will include a cargo deck the size of 14 football pitches. Wave energy is to be harnessed by 12 dolphin like fins an the ships hull. While, sun and wind energy is collected by three giant rigid wingsails, also covered in solar panels. Read More at SolarNavigator…

Related Links: Green Flagship Homepage | PDF Brochure | Solar Shipping Links

Solar Navigator

M/V Solar Navigator Swath – the Solar Navigator started out as a SWATH design, first exhibited at Earls Court in 1995. Since that time various wave piercing models have been developed and tested, the aim being to improve performance and reduce build costs. Both teams estimate similar travel times. One day it may be possible to travel around the world on solar power, in under 80 days. Jules Verne would have loved this. See also, the Swiss Transatlantic Sun 21 attempt using the almanac below. Read More…

Related Links: Building the SWATH Model | ZDnet Article | CNN Coverage

Magenn Air Generator

Magenn Air Generator - While designed for shore based power stations, not ships, could they one day be repurposed? “

Magenn’s system is a lighter-than-air wind turbine capable of powering a rural village – the 30 metre wide, helium-filled “Air Rotor System” contains a turbine that spins around a horizontal axis and can produce 10 kilowatts of energy as it floats above the ground while attached to a copper tether. Larger models — ones that might power a skyscraper — are also reportedly in the works. The company claims the governments of India and Pakistan have expressed interest in the first version. Magenn is planning to launch a 1kw prototype (costing around C$1 million) into the air above Ottawa this (northern) spring.” Read More…

Related Links: Laddermilk Kites

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AquaSailor

AquaSailor – The concept involves a series of supertankers specially designed and constructed for the carriage of potable water. The water is transported onto land through small, offshore facilities known as Single Point Moorings (SPMs). Using unique Solar Wing sails with solar cell array technology reduces fuel consumption and emissions by nearly 50% on the voyages compared to the conventional tanker of this size and hydrodynamic characteristics.

LNG As Propulsion

LNG Propelled Cruise Ship – As part of its development work, Wärtsilä has developed a new coastal cruise ferry using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. LNG is an efficient way to cut emissions. All SOX emissions are eliminated and the NOX and CO2 emissions are reduced by about 80% and 20% respectively (see figure 1). LNG is not only an environmentally sound solution, but also economically interesting at today’s oil prices.

The new ferry is designed for cruising along the Norwegian coast between small coastal communities. As this still represents a relatively untouched natural landscape, an environmentally friendly ship solution is required. The same ship and machinery concept could also be applied easily to other passengership operations, such as short-route ferries and expedition cruise vessels. Read More…

Increasing Efficiencies

Floating On Bubbles Of Air

Bubbling Ship – One promising solution derives from the work of Yoshiaki Kodama, director of the Advanced Maritime Transport Technology Department at Japan’s National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) in Tokyo. Kodama’s team proposes to shoot a layer of bubbles from slots near the bow of the ship. The bubbles will travel along the hull of the ship, with enough bubbles trapped under the ship’s surfaces so that the constant replenishment is sufficient to maintain the blanket of bubbles. Read More…

Shark Skin Coatings

SharkSkin Coatings – To find a way to persuade algae to move on rather than killing them scientists at the University of Florida turned to nature. Sharks don’t have algae or barnacle problems despite being underwater all their lives. Shark skin is made up of tiny rectangular scales topped with even smaller spines or bristles. This makes shark skin rough to the touch. This irregular surface makes it difficult for plant spores to get a good grip and grow into algae or other plants. Read More…

Boats

Much of the technology being developed for shipping companies with big budgets and fuel costs will trickle down to our smaller coastal friends. Here’s a look at green initiatives for boaters.

Solar Sailor

Solar Sailor – Hybrid marine power combines electric drives with the power and range of hydrocarbon and/or alternative fuels. Solar panels charge the electric engines to offer better acceleration, quicker emergency stopping and easier handling. Although useful for applications such as tourism, recreation and fishing, they also under scrutiny for duty as urban ferries, where they would use 50% less fuel, generating a correspondingly 50% less emissions. Passengers also experience less noise, vibration and fumes. But the solar wings are not passive. They can be adjusted, so as to act like real cloth sales, … … with boat speeds of 8-10 knots having been achieved, cutting fuel consumption even further. If wind speed hit 35 knots, a computer lowers the sails into the roof where they offer zero windage. A 140 passenger craft, with speeds of 20 knots has more recently been developed. Read More…

Related Links: SolarSailor FAQ | Treehugger Profile | Company Homepage

Windmill Turbine Boats

Windmill Turbine Boats – While small dingy’s have been tested using windmill turbine design, the inventor hopes this to be a technology used on future vessels of all sizes. His estimated date for first launch? 2028

Related Links: Inventor’s Page | Treehugger Article

SkySails SuperYacht

SkySails SuperYacht – Humphreys Yacht Design, together with SkySails, will be exhibiting the concept for a high-performance hybrid super yacht at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. Powered by SkySails, this 40-meter trimaran can reach speeds of up to 18 knots without the help of its main engine, and up to 30 knots with the main engine. Naturally the two power sources can be used in combination to conserve fuel. With SkySails a shaft-driven generator can be activated, which charges batteries that can supply the main diesel-electric propulsion as needed. This way, with suitable wind conditions, the hybrid yacht can be powered without having to depend on oil. Yacht owners can now sail in a way that is ecologically responsible, without having to sacrifice the comfort they’ve come to enjoy. And, this type of propulsion provides owners a high degree of security and independence in times of crisis. Read More…

UPDATE: July 26, 2010 – gCaptain first reported on the Plastitki, a 60-foot catamaran made out of 2-liter soda bottles, over a year ago and we are now happy to report that the Plastiki has completed its 11,000 mile voyage from San Francisco to Sydney. theplastiki.com tells us about their arrivel in Sydney.

The Plastiki crew were met by a welcome flotilla of boats and hellicopters as they sailed through Sydney habour on their way to Sydney’s Australian National Maritime Museum where the arrival ceremony was held in front of a bustling audience of friends, families, press and supporters. Huge thanks to everyone who made it down and tracked our arrival online, you can share any of your photos through our Facebook page.

So this is a little bit more complex than building a boat out of popsicle sticks, but after all, it’s going to eventually be sailed over 11,000 miles on the open ocean.

According to CNN, the ambitious eco-adventurer De Rothschild is currently in the process of collecting and constructing a boat made almost entirely out of plastic PET bottles. In April, Rothschild plans to sail his boat, called the Plastiki, from San Francisco to Sydney.

The Plastiki is a 60-foot catamaran will be made up of an estimated 12,000 to 16,000 2-liter soda bottles, stripped of their labels, washed, filled with dry-ice powder and then resealed. The dry ice sublimates into carbon dioxide gas and pressurizes the bottle, making it rigid.  Additionally, two wind turbines and an array of solar panels will charge a bank of 12-volt batteries, which will power several onboard laptop computers, a GPS and SAT phone.  When it’s all finished, the Plastiki will be 90% recylced material.

De Rothschild hopes his creation, now being built on a San Francisco pier, will boost recycling of plastic bottles, encourage people to embrace clean, renewable energy and help people see that consumer waste can be a potential resource.

“The idea is to put no kind of pollution back into the atmosphere, or into our oceans for that matter, so everything on the boat will be composted. Everything will be recycled. Even the vessel is going to end up being recycled when we finish,” he told CNN.

Check out this video for more on the Plastiki’s construction:

Source: CNN

What are the 11 most interesting Wind Turbine Designs?

Today’s hottest job market for mariners is Offshore Oil and Gas but this is by no means the only controversial industry segment which presents opportunities to mariners. Like exploratory drilling, Offshore wind farms have also raised controversy among industry experts but presents unique job opportunities for those looking for more than the average liner run. Today we look at the 5 most interesting wind turbine designs.
.

Helix Wind

Helix Wind, who offers a well-designed system that creates electricity to power any home or small business. The Savonius turbine-based design catches wind from all directions, creating smooth powerful torque to spin the electric generator. It’s mounted up to 35 feet high, in winds as low as 10 mph, thus allowing the Helix system to fulfill electricity needs, while being congruous with the environment. The strength of the wind is captured by Helix’s distinctive and efficient vertical blade design. The vertical Savonious 2.0 and Savonious 5.0 have a patent pending design which empowers the turbine to convert wind power into energy less than 5 decibels above background noise. Translation… The noise that the turbine makes is similar to the noise generated when wind passes through a tree or a house, compared to conventional horizontal wind turbines that operate at up to ten times above the wind speed, which is responsible for the piercing whistling sound near wind farms. (Source: gLiving.tv | Video)

QuietRevolution

This is equivalent to about five low-energy houses’ electricity demand, or the electrical needs of a twenty man office. Unlike other turbines which are usually noisy the unique shape of the quietrevolution turbine allows it to operate in near silent which is ideal for operating close to residential areas. The distinctive helical shape of the turbine is also eye pleasing which is impotent since many communities rejected wind turbines because of their visual impact. (Source: TheFutureOfThings)

Selsam Super Turbine

The innovative Selsam SuperTurbine off-shore concept was designed for simplicity, as it eliminates all components that do not directly contribute to power generation, resulting in a low-cost wind turbine. The unit is equipped with multiple, synchronous, small rotors and with a universal joint that enables it to tilt. Because of this structure, the turbines resemble reeds bending in the wind. The optional addition of a blimp can make this floating wind turbine even more powerful. The Selsam prototype was able to produce 6,000 watts in 32.5 mph winds, proving the efficiency and effectiveness of the design. (Source: TFOT)

Salsam Sky Serpant

The advantages of the SuperTurbine design are many. First, during large and fierce storms, these deep water turbines may intentionally lay down by flooding chambers, or even completely submerge to survive. Bonus! Second, flotation near the surface forms a fulcrum, with the weight of the rotors and driveshaft balanced by a downward force from the mooring below. According to the site, this allows the turbine to bend similar to arching your back to take advantage of wind patterns much more easily. Additionally, the rotors can be staggered, spiral, or in line. (Source: GroovyGreen)

The LoopWing

This is the “LoopWing” wind turbine. It is soon to be unveiled in Japan’s Eco-Products 2006 Exhibition. The E1500 model turbine is aimed at homeowners, and it sports a unique wing design that operates with low vibration, and at wind speeds as low as 1.6 m/sec. The efficiency specs on the turbine are vague — “43% power performance at optimum wind speeds” is all published.(Source: Treehugger)

The Egg Beater

BSI, the British Standards Institute, gave first prize in its Sustainability Awards 2007 to Ben Storan for his “afforable personal wind turbine suited to the urban environment.” According to the BSI, The result is a unique design which uses vertical, rather than traditional horizontal, rotation. This feature gives a slower rotational speed, which allows the turbine to capture more energy from turbulent air flow, common to urban environments. It also means quieter operation. (Source:: Treehugger)

Magenn Air Generator

Magenn Air Generator - While designed for shore based power stations, not ships, could they one day be repurposed? ”

Magenn’s system is a lighter-than-air wind turbine capable of powering a rural village – the 30 metre wide, helium-filled “Air Rotor System” contains a turbine that spins around a horizontal axis and can produce 10 kilowatts of energy as it floats above the ground while attached to a copper tether. Larger models — ones that might power a skyscraper — are also reportedly in the works. The company claims the governments of India and Pakistan have expressed interest in the first version. Magenn is planning to launch a 1kw prototype (costing around C$1 million) into the air above Ottawa this (northern) spring.” Read More…

Kite Turbine

Chetwoods Associates, an architectural group from Great Britain, has come up with a new environmental design that promises to capture wind power in an odd but innovative manner: By using a huge replica sail as a model. The first version of this idea will use a giant spinnaker sail placed in a mountain gorge near Russia’s Lake Ladoga area. A spinnaker is a type of sail usually made for boats taking wind from ‘a reaching course to a downwind, i.e. with the wind 90°–180° off the bow.’ It’s supposed to take in the wind, powerfully generated between a mountainside channel, and then further funnel that energy through an attached turbine. It’s safe to assume that there would be power conduit beneath the river to drag in the converted energy for community use. (Source: Wired)

WindSpiral Turbine

At a height of 30 ft. tall and only 2 feet wide, the WindSpire converts wind energy into measurable electricity through a vertical design, a rotor/generator system (with a low speed giromill and rotating ‘air core’ motors), and a wireless modem that an owner can track on a computer. It produces about 1900 kilowatt hours per year in 12 mile per hour average winds, which is about a quarter of the total energy used by a regular U.S. house. But the key promise mentioned in the video, is that if the spire was twice as thick, it could likely produce 100% of the energy needs of a household. (Source: Wired)

MagLev Wind Turbine

The MagLev wind turbine is expected take wind power technology to the next level with magnetic levitation. Magnetic levitation is an extremely efficient system for wind energy. Here’s how it works: the vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air above the base of the machine, replacing the need for ball bearings. The turbine uses “full-permanent” magnets, not electromagnets – therefore, it does not require electricty to run. The full-permanent magnet system employs neodymium (“rare earth”) magnets and there is no energy loss through friction. This also helps reduce maintenance costs and increases the lifespan of the generator. (Source: Inhabitat)

Laddermill

Researchers at Delft University are building what they call a Laddermill to tap the steady and stiff winds in the jet stream. The Laddermill consists of a stack of tethered kites that soar as high as five miles and then return toward earth in an endless loop to generate electricity. As the kites sail up to the jet stream and back, they pull with them tethers that turn an electrical generator located on the ground. The Delft researchers also are experimenting with a fleet of gliders that would soar in place of the kites. (Source: CNN)

Offshore Installation – A Photo Diary

For those curious how these wind farms will be installed offshore… be sure to check out Frodog’s Photo Diary of the Skegness Project. You can view the diary HERE and the HD Slideshow HERE.

Whoever said a little black magic couldn’t be used to help cut carbon emissions?  Well, the folks at Sauter Carbon Offset Design aim to do just that with the introduction of the Black Magic, a zero carbon vessel that points to the way future tankers can reduce harmful green house gas emissions by 6 billion tons over the next 20 years.

Black Magic is a 4,000 ton Solar hybrid Vessel that is estimated to reduce GHG emissions by 75 to 100% by harnessing energy from the sun, wind and waves.  It features just about every green technology currently available to large vessels in order to deliver the cleanest marine propulsion system the world has ever seen.  Technologies include:

·         Mercedes Benz & MTU Bluetec diesel electric power generation
·         Hydro and aerodynamic advances in wave piercing pentamaran hull design
·         Azimuth counter rotating CLT high torque propeller systems.
·         KER & Power sailing regeneration.
·         State of the art fully rotational Wing Sails.
·         Maximum solar cell deployment. (2,000 square meters)
·         Energy efficient equipment, including AC & refrigeration with waste heat recovery
·         Computerized energy management, maintenance & guidance.
·         Lithium UPS

Black Maigic is being touted as the only realistic Super Green Alternative to the highly pollutant tankers currently in use and still being built.  Solar cells, power sailing regeneration and plug-in power sources charge a lithium ion storage system allowing Black Magic to achieve her maximum speed of 16 knots and navigate harbors and inland water ways with Zero emissions

Combine that above with 300 to 1,000kws of wing sail propulsion to arrive at virtually unlimited Zero Carbon Cruising at an average speed of 10kts (with optional Sky Sail 12 kts).

Read more about what green technology is being used on ships to cut harmful carbon emissions HERE.

For those of you that try to keep up with events in the blogosphere, you may know that today is Blog Action Day 2009.  For those of you that don’t, Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that “unites the world’s blogger” by encouraging them to post about the same issue on the same day.  The website says that this years event will be one of the largest-ever social change events on the web, currently with 8,886 registered blogs and 12,509,322 readers from 148 Countries.  So what is this years issue you ask? Climate Change.

Without a doubt, the maritime shipping industry has seen the effects of climate change.  Just recently, Beluga Group announced that two of its multipurpose heavy lift project carriers successfully transited the Northeast Passage – a journey that in years past has not been possible.

But not only has the maritime shipping industry seen the effects of climate change first hand, but more and more stress is being put on the shipping industry to decrease its carbon emissions and its harmful affects on the global environment.  While some companies simply aim to abide by laws governing ship emissions, a few are coming up with radical ideas to reduce the impact.  Here is a look at some those ideas currently in operation that are at the forefront of an industry under fire.

High Temperature Fuel Cell For Greener Power Supply
September 2009 saw the initial operation of the first high temperature fuel cell on board of a ship.  The electrochemical process seen in fuel cells mainly generates water and heat resulting in an estimated total reduction of 4,755 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 33 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as 180 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) per year.

Participants in this project include MTU Onsite Energy, as well as a number of internationally renowned companies like Wärtsilä Ship Design Norway, Wärtsilä Automation Norway and Eidesvik Offshore ASA. READ MORE

Solar Powered Cargo Ship
Completed in 2008, the Toyota operated M/V Auriga Leader is the worlds first cargo ship to be partially propelled by solar power.  The 650-foot car carrier is capable of generating 10% of the energy used while the ship is docked through it’s 328 solar panels.

The system is expected to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1-2 percent, or about 20 tons per year. Read more HERE and HERE

Plug In Power
In 2009, the BP Terminal at the Port of Long Beach became the world’s first oil tanker terminal equipped with shore “plug in” plower to eliminate air emissions from docked vessels.  The 941-foot Alaskan Navigator is specially equipped to plug in while at berth and draw power for its pumps, communications, ventilation, lighting and other needs from Southern California Edison, instead of its own diesel engines.  In a year, shore power will eliminate more than 30 tons of pollution. Read more HERE

Skysails
January 2008 saw the maiden voyage of the M/V Beluga Skysails, a multipurpose vessel equipped with the revolutionary Skysails system – a 1,700 square foot kite launched between 300 and 600 feet above the deck to harness wind energy as a way supplement propulsion.  So far, the design has preduced an average fuel savings of 10-15% with an estimated goal of 24% sometime in the near future.

A total 1,500 Skysail systems are expected to be produced by 2015.  Read more HERE and HERE.

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For those of you are more interested to see what bloggers have to say about the issue of Climate Change, check out the Blog Action Day website HERE.

September 2009 saw the initial operation of the first high temperature fuel cell to be run on board of a ship.  The operation was launched as part of the FellowSHIP research project (Fuel Cells for Low Emission Ships): a project to test fully integrated on-board fuel cells – both on board of vessels, as well as offshore platforms – and to make them commercially viable.

The Tognum supplied HotModule is scheduled for service on the Norwegian offshore supply vessel “Viking Lady” to first test its suitability for green on-board power generation by means of fuel cells. The HotModule is fully integrated in the existing on-board power generation infrastructure of the vessel, delivering 320 kW of the current power supply requirements, whilst being powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The integration of fuel cells on board ships serves to significantly reduce health-hazardous and climate-critical emissions: an estimated total of 4,755 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 33 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as 180 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) – that equal to about 20,000 cars – can be avoided this way every year. The electrochemical process seen in fuel cells mainly generates water and heat.

Participants in this project include MTU Onsite Energy, as well as a number of internationally renowned companies like Wärtsilä Ship Design Norway, Wärtsilä Automation Norway and Eidesvik Offshore ASA.

More on this project can be read HERE

Completed in late 2008, the M/V Auriga Leader is the world’s first cargo ship to be partially propelled by solar power.   The 656-foot, 60,000-ton car carrier will initially transport vehicles being sent for sale overseas by Japan’s top automaker, Toyota Motor Corp, and harness the energy of the sun in order to reduce fuel costs and cut carbon emissions.

Currenlty docked at the Port of Long Beach, officials from the port, Toyota and NYK Line are allowing visitors to come aboard and view the 328 solar panels on the M/V Auriga Leader as part of a demonstration project to help raise awareness about reducing diesel emissions from large ships.

The vessel, developed by Nippon Yusen K.K. and Nippon Oil Corp., is capable of generating 10% of the energy used while the ship is docked with its 328 solar panels on the top deck.  Nippon Yusen has set a goal of halving its fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.

The panels themselves are not attached to the ship directly, but are rather installed on the ship’s car-carrier, which is capable of carrying 6,400 automobiles, and then connected to the onboard 440 volt electrical network.

The companies hope having the panels on the carrier will protect them from the stresses of the ship’s environment, including salt-water damage, wind pressure, and vibrations.

This weeks Ship Photo of The Week is of the Alaskan Navigator docked at BP Terminal Pier T at The Port of Long Beach. What’s exciting about this is that it is the world’s first oil tanker terminal equipped with shore power to eliminate air emissions from docked vessels.  Instead of running its diesel engines while at berth, the 941-foot Navigator plugged into a shore-side electricty grid to power its off-loading operations.  The Port of Long Beach tells us:

Shore power, also known as “cold-ironing,” allows a specially equipped vessel to plug in at berth. The vessel can then draw power for its pumps, communications, ventilation, lighting and other needs from Southern California Edison, instead of its own diesel engines. Providing shore power to an off-loading oil tanker is the pollution-reducing equivalent of removing 187,000 cars from the road for a day. In a year, shore power will eliminate more than 30 tons of pollution.

The BP shore power installation delivers enough electricity to power about 5,500 homes — up to 8 megawatts at 6,660 volts. The Alaska Tanker Company has equipped two of vessels that regularly visit the Port to be able to plug into the BP Terminal on Pier T, which supplies local refineries with crude oil. The joint project, which was undertaken voluntarily, was completed at a cost of $23.7 million — $17.5 million from the Port and $6.2 million from BP.

Prior to its modification, the Alaskan Navigator burned nearly 10,000 gallons of diesel each day in port to power massive pumps needed to off-load its oil.

The Pier T project cost $23.7 million to build – $17.5 million from the Port and $6.2 million from BP – and took three years to complete.

Watch BP Promo on Shore-Side Power