Rotor sail was mounted on LNG sustained Viking Grace in April 2018
Finland’sNorsepower Oy Ltd records that the blades sail mounted on the Viking Line cruise ship ferryboat Viking Grace has the prospective to provide yearly financial savings of around 300 tonnes of LNG gas.
The LNG sustained Viking Grace was retrofitted with a 24 m high, 4 m size Norsepower blades cruise a little over a year ago (see earlier tale). The sail is an up-to-date variation of the Flettner blades; a rotating cyndrical tube that utilizes the Magnus impact to harness wind power to push a ship.
Norsepower claims that when checking out gas usage alone over the dimension duration, the gas financial savings made by Viking Grace were not right away apparent. However, when professional evaluation firms NAPA and also ABB evaluated the information, they had the ability to separate an apparent adjustment in the propulsion power malfunction of Viking Grace, triggered by the blades sail. The exact same verdict was verified with a pressure scale evaluation, where ahead propelled of the blades sail was determined and also exchanged propulsion power.
Based on the various evaluations, claims Norsepower, the anticipated lasting adjustment in Viking Grace‘s yearly gas usage because of the blades sail has actually been validated to be in between 231 and also 315 tonnes on yearly basis, equatng to an ordinary propulsion power in between 207 kW and also 282 kW. According to the evaluation results, the blades sail provides much more ahead propelled on the ocean blue legs of the course for the Viking Grace, yet because of the course liing primarily in the island chain, the yearly gas financial savings possibility gets on the exact same degree within both course locations.
As an outcome, Viking Line and also Norsepower have actually accepted proceed collaboratively making use of and also enhancing the blades sail on the M/S Viking Grace with the modern technology currently completely functional.
Tuomas Riski, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, Norsepower, commented: “When the examination duration started, we had some difficulties with our brand-new item, yet had the ability to repair them promptly, and also given that completion of September 2018, the technological schedule of the blades sail has actually been around 97%. We delight in to see that independent screening from valued, independent firms NAPA and also ABB has actually revealed remarkable gas financial savings possibility on the M/SViking Grace This job has actually verified, that our modern technology functions likewise with high-speed cruise ship ferryboats which positive outcomes can be accomplished with a solution rate of 21 knots.
“During the last year we have been using the rotor sails in extreme weather conditions including icing events and high wind speeds, in which the rotor sail has been operational. based on the harsh weather experiences so far, the rotor sail can be operated around the year without any weather-related issues.”
Commenting on the tests, Jan Hanses, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, Viking Line stated: “Viking Line has been testing the Rotor Sail on M/S Viking Grace for a year now, and together with Norsepower we will continue testing and optimizing the sail for its current route. We are proud to be the first in the world to trial Norsepower’s world-class mechanical rotor sail solution on a cruise ferry.”
“This analysis showcases the importance of onboard data collection and the value of ABB’s analytical services. Besides optimizing operations through improved energy efficiency on board Viking Grace, the data collected by ABB Ability Marine Advisory System OCTOPUS was used to calculate the savings gained from the rotor sail without disturbing operations,” stated Marcus Högblom, Head of Passenger Vessel section at ABB Marine & & Ports.
Jaakko Talonen, Data Scientist, NAPA stated: “In the actual navigational conditions there is always variation in the environment, which has an important effect on the fuel consumption. This is why a statistical regression model was applied, to overcome the variations in the comparison conditions and to disclose the effect of the rotor sail. The long history of NAPA on ship performance modelling gave a really good basis for the study.”
