Everything Old is new again - Flettner Rotor Ship is launched

I was impressed by the distance travelled by the vessel during the trial period.
It's a shame the analysis is sub-standard. I hope they keep going for a while
longer and then release their data so independent assessments can be made.

 

There are some similar, but I think this might be a new variation. All very interesting.

One of the other rotor ship clips had this interesting graph, showing possible reasons for fuel costs becoming a bigger concern.

 

I guess that could be re-phrased as the PUBLISHED analysis ....

I bet the vendors are keeping detailed data close to their chest, either for intellectual property reasons or marketing reasons.

 

As you suggested earlier, let's watch where the money flows.
I'll be interested to see where they conduct further runs with the ship. I suspect they might focus on regions where the wind regime is in their favour.
That's sensible, but it also severely limits their market.

 

If you go right to the first time this ferry appears in the news, they SPECIFICALLY used this vessel due to the favourable winds. Post #377

Compared to the world shipping market, favourable routes might be scarce, but for the thousands of ferry trips around northern europe, we have a huuuge market - in a very emissions and cost sensitive part of the world.

 

It's a publicity stunt propagated by a windmill company and the Flettner Rotor snake oil salesmen. The windmill company wants to look innovative and the Rotor guys need more investors to dupe.

 

Well. The ferry people were happy. If they put more and bigger rotors on their ferries that will be a sign of success. Publicity is a valid reason for innovation considering ego and status fuels most super yachts.

 

RoRo ESTRADEN has now 2 rotors:
http://www.norsepower.com/SiteAssets/news/Rotor Sail transport - rs.JPG
http://www.norsepower.com/SiteAssets/news/Rotor Sail installation with crane - rs.JPG
http://www.norsepower.com/SiteAssets/news/Estraden with two Rotor Sails from port - rs.JPG
http://www.norsepower.com/SiteAssets/news/Estraden Rotor Sail fore - rs.JPG
http://www.norsepower.com/SiteAssets/news/Estraden Rotor Sail aft - rs.JPG

 

aha - so the statement

"The trials were measured and analysed with continuous monitoring systems from maritime data analysis, software and services provider, NAPA and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland collected data over a six-month period, during which both the Rotor Sail technology and automation system was operational 99% of the time. The results confirmed that the Rotor Sail is able to produce large amounts of thrust force, which enables considerable fuel savings."
http://www.bore.eu/successful-trial-phases-for-norsepowers-rotor-sail-system-onboard-mv-estraden/

was fact.

Another rotor is the greatest proof of the concept.

"Reinforcing VTT’s findings, NAPA conducted a randomised trial that found clear and significant savings, despite largely calm weather conditions throughout the study."

http://www.bore.eu/successful-installation-of-second-norsepower-rotor-sail-onboard-mv-estraden/

"The first prototype of the Rotor Sail Solution was installed on M/V Estraden in 2014 and the second was installed onboard the vessel in November 2015, with the aim to generate further fuel efficiency onboard the vessel."

 

Accidentally came across this somewhat witty idea of offshore construction vessel with a Flettner rotor: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/patent-flettner-rotor-crane-peter-johan-welleman-engineer
Basically, it's a cylinder/cone rotating around the mast of what appears to be a Huisman offshore mast crane.

 

Fresh news...

http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?...-design-8000-dwt-rotor-sail-vessel&Itemid=231
http://www.motorship.com/news101/ships-and-shipyards/flettner-freighter-concept-to-become-reality
http://www.c-job.eu/en-GB/123/c-job...ettner-freighter-for-the-switijnk-family.html

http://www.motorship.com/news101/engines-and-propulsion/wind-power-rationalised - more detailed review of the vessel.

 

It is reported that the Estraden project contibuted to this C-Job one. The investment is very indicative of the usefullness off rotor power.

" Finnish rotor sail specialist Norsepower is also involved in the new C-Job project and has performed estimates of the FF8000's sailing profile based on positive test results from Bore's M/S Estraden, a 9,700 dwt RO/RO carrier that has been retrofitted with two Norsepower rotor sails."

http://fleetmultimodal.com/view-blog.php?id=2079

 

Bump - current similar thread under discussion

 

Very interesting supplemental propulsion concept rwatson. I can't help but notice the height & large surface area of these rotors.

Q: Have any aerodynamic studies been done on them during inclement weather?

I imagine a ship would heel over pretty good in very strong winds. With enough ballast though I suppose that could be overcome.

 

Lots of work done on the storm performance, from Flettner in the 1920's to to E-Ship recently.

In fact, with the rotors at rest, the windage is less than the equivalent masts, rigging spars etc of the many conventional rigs.

With the rotors spinning in strong winds, they actually tend to pull the ship upright.

The big advantage is that the rotors can be spun up or down to suit weather conditions, a lot easier than taking in sail and reefing