Encouraging data has
been released on using wind power for powering a cargo ship, according to the
BBC. We had previously
reported last year that agricultural giant Cargill was planning on testing wind power
for one of its vessels, Pyxis Ocean. Now, testing has taken place
with good results.
Over the past six months, the Pyxis Ocean was
fitted with “WindWings”, which are essentially giant sails. Cargill now reports that the vessel’s fuel
consumption was down, and carbon emissions also decreased. In its own words,
Cargill says the results “underscore the
potential” for wind to change the trajectory of the shipping industry and its
quest to reduce emissions for a greener future.
What is so special about these “sails” versus
traditional sailboats?
The so-called
“WindWings” are produced in the United Kingdom, and are more similar to wind
turbines than traditional sails used on sailboats. In fact, these “sails” are
made from the same material used to produce the blades for wind turbines used
by wind farms.
Right now, Cargill has
tested the technology on a select few vessels with Pyxis Ocean being
the most prominent. It says the results are encouraging and will lead to wider
adoption. The “WindWings” are over 120 feet total when the ship is sailing.
What did the results of the months-long test show?
Conducting a
months-long test voyage with the “WindWings”, the Pyxis Ocean required 3 fewer
tons of fuel every day it was sailing. Cargill uses a cool example for showing
real-world impact: this smaller fuel volume produces the same lower volume of
emissions as removing almost 500 cars from highways. For context, the shipping industry is a leading source of toxic
emissions, and efforts have been made in recent years to reduce carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions, as well as sulphur emissions.
The big challenge for
shipping is rolling out the new “sails” worldwide across many ports and
vessels. That process, Cargill warns, could take decades. But, Cargill is
confident the real-world impacts can be felt almost immediately if other
vessels are retrofitted for the new technology. Right now, about 100 out of over 110,000 new shipping vessels being
built or entering service, is fitted with the new technology.