Giant Sails Cut Fuel Consumption "By 30%"

Engineers working on the Wind Challenger Project (WCP) have designed a system that utilises multiple large computer controlled sails, measuring 20m wide by 50m high, which it says can reduce fuel consumption of ships fitted with the technology by as much as 30%.

The working group, that includes members of the University of Tokyo (UT), say the five segment retractable sails are expected to cost about $2.5 million each and the fuel cost savings they deliver would mean the up-front expense of the sails could be recovered in about 5-10 years.

Unlike traditional fabric sails they will be rigid and constructed from lightweight aluminum and fiber-reinforced plastic.

Hollow, shaped rather like an aircraft wing and mounted vertically, the sails can be independently positioned to maximize the efficiency of each sail.

Scale model testing in a wind tunnel and computer simulations have shown that the sails are especially effective in a cross wind. This means that optimal routes may follow the wind rather than taking the shortest point-to-point route.

“Using today’s technology, it’s possible to make big sails, and to control them automatically," said UT professor Kiyoshi Uzawa.

"Also, navigation technology includes networked maritime information and weather forecasting, so ships like this can travel safely."

"Using wind energy, as in old-fashioned sailing ships, is actually feasible,” he added.

The sails will likely be most suited to ships that have a low profile like bulk cargo ships rather than container vessels that stack cargo well above the the deck.

The group has finished its initial research and hopes to move to half-scale prototypes over the next 2 years to prove the concept.

By 2016 they hope to be planning their first sea trial.