Kite Sails for Merchant Vessels - SkySails - Green Cargo Ships
By funride
Saving fuel using the Wind Power
The first time I saw the SkySails technology I have to admit I thought it was not possible to use a kite to help pulling a cargo vessel. But it is and now I know this will help reduce both fuel consumption and carbon emissions every time a big ship employs this system.
Everybody knows that wind is much cheaper than fuel and there is no expectations that it will end someday soon. No doubt those are great arguments to backup the SkySails and if we think that the fuel consumption can be reduced by almost 35% it is easy to understand that the initial investment will be paid in four or five years.
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Much greener transportations
If every big ship out there had a SkySails we could expect that the carbon emissions from them would be inferior to the ones from the aviation, making the ocean transportation much more "greener" and a lot cheaper than it is right now.
SkySails` Technology
SkySails - How it works
Using this huge sail (320m2 / 3444.56 ft2) which works as a large towing kite, the ship´s motors have less need to propel all the weight through the water.
This automatic towing kite propulsion systems are the first attempt to bring back the wind and sails systems to the 21st century maritime navigation industry requirements.
The system can be equipped both on new or on older ships and the only limitation for this system is the ship length - minimum 30 meters.
The complete system consists of three primary components: the kite with the towing rope, a launch and recovery equipment and a automatic control system for easy operation.
SkySails bring windpower to container ships!
SkySails
The company it is established at Hamburg, Germany, since 2001 and has been developing, making and marketing this new technology through out the world.
You can learn more about their company and products in their website:
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SkySails for your recreational boat!
You have a small boat and you liked the idea!?
Then keep reading because you will find the solution for your problem.
Power Kiting
A 6 meter boat kite was inflated and deployed using the F-10 control system. The kite harnesses the wind and saves fuel. Find out more about it at Kite For Sail.
You get seasick everytime you go on a boat...
All right, do not leave yet. There is still hope for you!
You can enjoy this same technology without any boat.
Of course I am talking about Kitesurfing which is like surfing but with wind as propellent.
You still do not believe that wind has enough power!?
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Comments
Wow...Sounds wonderful to me...I can just bet this has been known for sometime though...sounds like it could be a really good thing...does it help the ship move faster? and what if the line breaks??? You certainly did a good job presenting this sweetie..Thanks....G-Ma :o) hugs
Thanks Steph, let´s hope it will become common on every ship.
Hi G-Ma, thanks for your comment. Lol if the line breaks they will have to buy another one plus the kite :D . In fact the ship could go faster but only if full throttle. The main advantage is to go the same speed but with less fuel ;)
Fantastsic hub, funride. I agree with Steph. Sails have been around for a long time, you would of thought this would have been tried before, but now that all we want to do is "drill, drill, drill" it's a good time to get it done. It's another example of how we always wait for a problem to become a crisis before we do anything about it.
Coming from you that was quite a compliment, thanks a lot William. You´re right, we only think about the storm when we hear the thunderbolts, or even worst: sometimes we wait until we get electrocuted by one LOL.
Loved this hub! Never saw the skysails in action and they are such a great idea. Like stephhicks, I like learning something new when I read a hub, and I certainly did this time!
I am scared of contraptions such as that, so I would rather watch it from the ground :). Nevertheless interesting hub and anything that gets people to start thinking about energy consumption is a good thing.
Great hub, but scarey to me, however wind is a good thing, as long as it leaves me on the ground!! LOL
The wind must be blowing in my direction! LOL Three days without running my computer and now I found three comments from three lovely ladies here ;)
NYLady - Thanks, I´m glad you enjoyed and learned something from this hub ;-)
SweetiePie - Are you sure!? Just imagine how beautiful the beach would look from that high :D
marisuewrites - LOL don´t tell anybody but I was also scared the first time I watch that video. I even stop playing with my little kite - we never know... :D
Great Hub. I enjoyed your video's and the time you took to put this Hub together. Way to go. Makes you want to sing Christopher Crosses song "Sailing" :)
Laurie (Inspire Wisdom)
Thanks Laurie, you´re very kind. It´s a pleasure to have you commenting on my hubs and now you can sing along with Christopher (video below) ;)
Enjoy and have fun!
Wow! Fun ride by funride! LOL
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Sailing by Christopher Cross in 1980
stephhicks68 3 years ago
This almost seems like a no-brainer, using sky sails to cut down on fuel consumption! Fantastic hub - I learned something new today. :) Steph