We have covered many green technology powered boats, starting from solar powered crafts to DIY vessels. But this time Stena Line, one of the world’s largest ferry companies (relating to international traffic) has exclusively contrived a passenger ferry that is equipped with two huge wind turbines. Named as the Stena Jutlandica, Gothenburg-Fredrikshaven, this fascinatingly designed ferry will be the first of its kind to get clean electricity as well as enhanced fuel economy from this set of vertical wind turbines placed on the front prow.
Wind Energy Harvesting
The novelty and ingenuity of the design lies in the fact that this system of wind turbines will actually function for dual purposes. Firstly and obviously, the 4m high turbines will generate clean and green power for the whole electricity grid of the vessel. The total power produced will be equal to 23,000 kWh per year, which is enough to supply four dwellings all throughout the year. Moreover, the vertical alignment of the system will enhance the wind capturing capacity.
Secondly, as the wind turbines are situated at the front end prow, they will also cut upon the magnitude of wind resistance. According to the company’s estimate, the reduction of air resistance will allow the passenger ferry to save 80 to 90 tones of fuel per year (along with reduction of carbon dioxide of 269 ton/year and reduced sulphur emissions of 1.7 ton/year). This humongous amount of fuel can be used by a whopping 28 households all throughout the year for their energy needs.
Robert Åkerlund, Technical Director & HR at Stena Line, said:
Within our Energy Saving Programme, we are currently pursuing 200 environment improvement projects and this is yet another very interesting project. Stena Line has a tradition of leading when it comes to the development of different types of new solutions.
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