http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7201887.stm
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he designers of the MS Beluga Skysails say the computer-controlled kite, measuring 160sq m (1,722sq ft), could cut fuel consumption by as much as 20%.
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Kite to pull ship across Atlantic
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Kite to pull ship across Atlantic
by dorlomin » Tue 22 Jan 2008, 18:40:39
A novel variation on sailing, using a high altitude kite to pull along a MV reducing its fuel consumption.
A slight touch of mundane genius.
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Re: Kite boat
by Rambo » Tue 22 Jan 2008, 18:43:22
What about high winds and bad weather?
I don't think this will ever catch on.
I don't think this will ever catch on.
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Giant kite to pull ship across the Atlantic
by lorenzo » Tue 22 Jan 2008, 18:45:30
{thread merged by emersonbiggins}
From Germany to Venezuela:
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Kite to pull ship across Atlantic
The world's first commercial cargo ship partially powered by a giant kite is setting sail from Germany to Venezuela.
The designers of the MS Beluga Skysails say the computer-controlled kite, measuring 160sq m (1,722sq ft), could cut fuel consumption by as much as 20%.
They also hope the state-of-the-art kite will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as it tugs the ship.
Fuel burnt by ships accounts for 4% of global CO2 emissions - twice as much as the aviation industry produces.
The kite sail will help reduce annual fuel costs by 10-35%. Reduced fuel also means fewer harmful carbon emissions
The large towing kite resembles a paraglider and is shaped like an aircraft wing, to enable it to take advantage of different wind directions
It operates at 100-300m above surface level - much higher than a normal sailing craft - where winds are stronger and more stable
The kite can be used in winds of between 12-74km/h (7-40 knots) and not just when the wind is blowing directly from behind the ship
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7201887.stm
From Germany to Venezuela:
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Kite to pull ship across Atlantic
The world's first commercial cargo ship partially powered by a giant kite is setting sail from Germany to Venezuela.
The designers of the MS Beluga Skysails say the computer-controlled kite, measuring 160sq m (1,722sq ft), could cut fuel consumption by as much as 20%.
They also hope the state-of-the-art kite will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as it tugs the ship.
Fuel burnt by ships accounts for 4% of global CO2 emissions - twice as much as the aviation industry produces.
The kite sail will help reduce annual fuel costs by 10-35%. Reduced fuel also means fewer harmful carbon emissions
The large towing kite resembles a paraglider and is shaped like an aircraft wing, to enable it to take advantage of different wind directions
It operates at 100-300m above surface level - much higher than a normal sailing craft - where winds are stronger and more stable
The kite can be used in winds of between 12-74km/h (7-40 knots) and not just when the wind is blowing directly from behind the ship
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7201887.stm
Proud to say I was the first to discover SkySails four years back, when they were just an idea. Everybody here and elsewhere laughed at it. Now they're doing it.
This seems to be one of those technologies that can be taken up by a large number of ships, very fast. No Hirsch slowness in this case.
How much fuel does the world's merchant fleet consume?
Yet Another of the Many Beginnings has Just Arrived!
The Beginning is Near!
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Re: Kite boat
by asdar » Tue 22 Jan 2008, 19:04:36
I think at $2,000/day that there's a better than even chance it'll take off. Two trips pays off the kite.
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Re: Giant kite to pull ship across the Atlantic
by Zardoz » Tue 22 Jan 2008, 19:06:17
Fine. It'll be interesting to get some data on the fuel consumption of that ship over the next couple of years, and see how much the kite actually saves. Theoretical savings are one thing, but let's see what it does in actual operation.
As an old sailor from way back, take my word for it that the wind seldom behaves just as you want it to.
As an old sailor from way back, take my word for it that the wind seldom behaves just as you want it to.
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Re: Kite to pull ship across Atlantic
by Twilight » Tue 22 Jan 2008, 19:23:16
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lorenzo', 'P')roud to say I was the first to discover SkySails four years back, when they were just an idea. Everybody here and elsewhere laughed at it. Now they're doing it.
Sails on modern tankers were tried long before this, was it the 80s? Correct me if I am wrong. I think it was the Japanese who were keen to try it after the shocks. They were of the fixed variety though, they tried automation too, but the savings were unpredictable. Companies hate stuff they can't budget for, and not knowing your budget in transport to the last percent can be very expensive. Until everyone abandons JIT of course. Which, looking at the last generation of supply chain progress...
But I knew it was feasible a long time ago, I clearly remember telling people in 2002 it was an idea that needed looking at again. It was only ever a question of overcoming people's stupidity and accumulating experience. We could have been saving some fuel in the 90s and learning. So here we are, starting much later than we could have.
Better late than never? I don't know. We are revisiting ideas that have been lying on shelves for a generation. That is a success that obscures real failure.
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Re: Kite to pull ship across Atlantic
by IslandCrow » Wed 23 Jan 2008, 04:38:24
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Twilight', 'U')ntil everyone abandons JIT of course.
The beauty of the concept is that, unlike the old sailing ships, the timing of the crossing is not much affected by the wind used, so JIT can continue for a little longer. But I agree that this could lead to 'interesting' pricing policies.
It seems to be a good step on the path to mitigating the effect of oil depletio. I hope it works in practice, but the estimate is that on average it will only reduce oil consumption by 20%. To get beyond that 20% in the face of declining fuel supplies there seem to be two choices: a) trips take longer, by relying on the wind more than now b) fewer trips are taken. Either choice would mean that less goods can be transported.
We should teach our children the 4-Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rejoice.
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