EMEA News
Novel Renewable Energy Bunker-Saving Device Enters Testing
A renewable energy system designed to transform chaotic motion from water, wind, and other sources into useable energy for ships is entering testing at the University of Exeter in the UK, the university says.
Ship repair facility A&P Falmouth is leading a project to demonstrate the capacity of the "Whatever Input to Torsion Transfer" (WITT) system to reduce energy use and emissions in shipping, joining partners including the University of Exeter, engineering company Supcat, and Plymouth University.
"Emission from vessels contributing significantly to the world's carbon pollution and this project will provide a significant step forward to develop solutions that make a difference," said University of Exeter Professor Lars Johanning.
"It shows how inventors, industry and academia can work hand-in-hand to develop viable products that have a positive social and environmental impact."
The project has received a £190,000 ($311,000) development grant from the Technology Strategy Board, and A&P Falmouth and Supacat are providing another £110,000 ($180,000) in kind.
"This is a very exciting project that can take the six degrees of motion generated by the sea and transfer that wasted energy into usable power," said Paul Weston, renewable energy technical manager for A&P Falmouth.
"The device can also be used in all types of movement whether on land or at sea, on a back pack, yacht or a ship."
The WITT system is being tested at the university's Dynamic Marine Component Test facility (DMac), a test rig that replicates forces and motions found in offshore operations, according to its website.
