TECH NOTESFOR A SHIP’S AUXILIARY POWERDELIVERIESHarnessing Wind PowerBY ERIC HAUNinnish marine engineering company Norsepower Oy Ltd. announced that it will (Photo: USMMA)Fbring to the commercial mari-time market an auxiliary wind propul-USMMA Gets its New Shipssion solution aimed at maximizing cargo ship fuel ef? ciency, with ? rst sea tests on a Finnish cargo ship slated to begin later this year.Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution is King’s an updated version of the Flettner ro-tor, a concept that dates back to Finnish engineer Sigurd Savonius in the early Pointer1900s. The Flettner rotor gets its name from German engineer Anton Flettner, who was the ? rst to build a ship which U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony used spinning vertical cylinder rotor Foxx and Acting Maritime Administrator sails for propulsion.Paul “Chip” Jaenichen visited the U.S. Though the basis for this technology Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is not entirely new, Norsepower has to celebrate the rechristening of the modernized the concept with various Academy’s new training vessel, the improvements. Norsepower said its Kings Pointer. update uses improved technology, ad-“The new Kings Pointer is yet another vanced materials and a leading-edge example of this Administration’s com-control system to allow the main en-mitment to ensuring ? rst-rate training gines to be throttled back when wind and facilities for the Academy’s mid-conditions are favorable, providing shipmen,” said Secretary Foxx. “With average fuel savings in the range of this modern vessel, the USMMA will 5-30% and reduced emissions, while continue to produce the ? nest mariners sustaining the power needed to main-in the world, helping ensure our national tain speed and voyage time.and economic security.”The principle on which the Norse-The Kings Pointer was retro? tted as a power Rotor Sail operates is known as training vessel at North Florida Shipyard the Magnus Effect. When wind meets for $3.3m. Before being redesigned to the spinning rotor sail, air? ow is ac-serve as a training vessel for students, celerated on one side of the rotor sail the former MV Liberty Star served as a and is restricted on the opposite side. solid rocket booster recovery vessel for The resulting pressure difference cre-NASA.Photo: norsepowerPropelled by two combined 2,900 ates a force that is perpendicular to the horsepower diesel engines, the 176-foot The Norsepower R&D site in Naantali, Finlandwind ? ow direction – a lift force. The long, newly-christened Kings Pointer circulatory ? ow, created here by the has a 6,000 mile range and a maximum skin friction, is the same phenomenon speed of 15 knots. The ship’s control-that creates lift for an aircraft wing. lable pitch propellers and auxiliary water The same principle applies to rotating jet thruster, combined with modern spheres and cylinders.joy-stick dynamic positioning capability The thrust induced by the Magnus Ef-provide midshipmen a highly maneuver-fect can be utilized in ship propulsion able training platform. The vessel has by placing a cylinder on the open deck a 7,500 pound deck crane, which is an of the vessel and by rotating it around ideal tool for providing a basic under-its main, vertical axis. An electric drive standing of modern cargo operations. It system that is powered by the auxiliary also has a fast rescue boat, which can grid in the vessel is used for rotation provide midshipman critical experi-of the rotor sail. Norsepower claims ence in general launch operations. In that this solution has potential to be 10 addition, the vessel’s double towing times more ef? cient than a convention-winch, substantial towing H bitts, and a al sail because more lift is produced massive towing fairlead add signi? cant with a much smaller sail area.new towing training capabilities to the The solution is mainly intended for Academy’s portfolio.use aboard tankers, bulk carriers and 12 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JULY 2014MR #7 (10-17).indd 12 MR #7 (10-17).indd 12 6/30/2014 2:09:39 PM6/30/2014 2:09:39 PM