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Lloyd's Register Finds Value in Wind Power
Lloyd's Register's Strategic Research Group says a research project has demonstrated the potential of wind power for auxiliary power generation on commercial vessels.
Lloyd's Register joined Totempower Energy Systems and Zodiac Maritime Agencies (Zodiac) in assessing the use of a Totempower wind-monitoring system on Zodiac-managed bulk carrier Cape Flamingo.
The data, collected over seven months in 2012, will be used to develop simulation models to predict potential energy yields on other ships.
"The results illustrate the importance of placing wind energy generators in way of the bridge wind stations where the vessels receive the best quality of unobstructed air flow," said Wolf Dietrich, CEO of Totempower Energy Systems.
"Designing a wind turbine for the prevalent conditions and the environment it is used in are important factors to consider at implementation level.
"Wind turbines of the conventional type may be able to contribute to the on-board auxiliary power supply, but are highly unlikely to replace it completely for practical as well as for operational safety considerations."
Spyros Hirdaris of Lloyd's Register's Strategic Research Group said the maritime industry is seeking ways to make shipping more efficient.
"Ship owners want good data to help them make decisions and we have made real progress in that respect with this project," he said.
A number of companies, including Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd, FR Shipwrights Pty Ltd (Shipwrights), and Solar Sailor have developed systems that promise to use wind power to improve ships' fuel efficiency, and international shipping association BIMCO has said wind power holds promise for supplying electricity to commercial ships.
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