Start-up company uses satellite data to develop technology that will help reduce CO2 emissions produced by the shipping industry
The shipping industry is responsible for around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and the International Maritime Organization has set a target for it to half these emissions by 2050.
To help reach this target, Smart Green Shipping (SGS) has developed a wind-assist power solution based on America’s Cup wing sails using meteorological and satellite technology at the European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre UK.
Wind energy
Its ‘FastRigs’ system involves a series of ‘smart’ vertical aerofoils mounted on vessels which are paired with a sophisticated analysis system that can accurately calculate the available wind to any ship.
It aims to reduce fuel consumption by at least a fifth initiawindlly.
The wings can also sense when to turn to make the most of the wind angle and speed and retract when approaching a bridge, or when wind speeds present a danger.
Diane Gilpin, Founder and CEO of SGS, said: “Wind is free, clean and abundantly available to ships that are equipped to harness it.”
“Our modern wind-assist solutions are highly advanced and optimised to enable the shipping industry to start driving down emissions immediately.
“For SGS, the ESA BIC UK support over the last two years has been of key strategic importance to our mission, to drive the uptake of renewables in the maritime industry using wind power.
“The development of our digital tool is critical to our efforts to support ship owners assessing the commercial viability of installing wind-assist solutions on their ships.”
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