Welcome to the Post-Energy Transition Solution for Shipping !The long term starts now.
The whole shipping industry is spending huge amounts of time, energy and money in order to handle the Energy Transition seeking the most appropriate transition fuel for propulsion, still with no clear winner in sight. Most of the green fuels on the table today will become naturally obsolete when real zero-emission will be required.
At PROPELWIND we propose a future-proof and holistic solution addressing efficiently the today’s issues in shipping:
- decarbonization: using the wind for main propulsion by selecting proven, durable wingsails already in operation in the wind-for-assistance industry for large vessels; so the use of wind is de-risked to a large extend;
- green fuel selection: a sensible, gradual approach to implement the future green fuel; as only a small quantity of fuel is required for the mechanical back-up propulsion, a few ISO-Tanktainers are sufficient, with an easy supply chain and safe, autonomous handling and storage system (patented).
As an example, LNG could be selected now for a few initial years, to be replaced later by green hydrogen when economically available; the changes are limited to the type of ISO-Tanktainers, the engines driving the electric generators and a few systems s.a. fuel gas handling, gas detection and safe gas venting, but keeping the same hull and vessel arrangement.
- container terminal congestion: a smart, safe autonomous solution for the cargo containers handling and storage ;
- car carriers fire protection: with a unique suite of features limiting drastically the fire propagation above all with EV’s on board;
- eventually, an absolute zero-emission vessel using only wind, green hydrogen, solar energy and battery storage.
Noteworthy:
- we have demonstrated by extensive routing simulations that wind can be used during more than 85 .. 90% on most of the trade routes globally, proving that wind for the main propulsion is realistic;
- the size of our initial vessels for launching before 2028 is smaller than mainstream vessels, because we use available wind propulsors from the today’s extensive market of proven, durable devices for wind for assistance to propulsion;
- even with this small size, if diesel oil is used as back-up fuel, the carbon footprint per cargo unit is a fraction of the footprint from the mainstream vessels;
- the area of hard wingsails needed for main propulsion allows for fitting of a large array of PV solar panels; combined with batteries, this feature provides on-board electricity all day and in harbor, making cold ironing unnecessary.
- the necessary scale-up to mainstream vessel size is already embedded in our development engineering program.
Above defines our comprehensive technology package, carved in stone thanks to a consistent suite of patents.
Salient facts:
- all going well, the first, 4,000 dwt vessels should hit the water before 2028;
- a comprehensive scale-up programme is implemented, to 10,000 dwt before 2032 and 30,000 dwt before 2040, a size covering up to 40% of the today’s world merchant fleet;
- the estimated payback period is 7 to 11 years for the initial 330 TEU version, depending on the actual carbon price;
- the same payback period range is estimated for the zero emission version, depending on an anticipated price range of green hydrogen.
Think Big, Start Small, Scale Fast
Jim Carroll, futurist
PURPOSE
PROPELWIND is a concept development company working on economically viable zero-emission vessels using primarily wind for their main propulsion.
VISION
We want to get a significant impact on the global shipping emissions, vessels should be made available for different types of cargo and built in large series.
STRATEGY
Maximum use of wind through proven technology from ocean sail racing, applied to cargo ships. Integrate smart cargo handling to wind propulsion concept.
