More and more companies are implementing carbon reduction measures, products and innovations, but taking that step to go green can require a lot of work and effort. With the EIC Greenhouse Gas Programme, the EIC wants to further stimulate and support companies to reduce their carbon footprint. For those that still need a gentle nudge in the right direction, we gathered several inspiring EIC companies for you, innovators that are taking the motto "climate action is a business case" to the next level. In this week’s edition, we meet with Norsepower, a Finnish company that aims to lower the environmental impact of shipping through its Rotor Sail Solution technology.
Norsepower was founded in Helsinki, Finland in late 2012 with a mission to reduce the environmental impact of shipping through its Rotor Sail Solution technology. Norsepower’s vision is to set the standard in bringing sails back to ocean transportation and empower shipping towards reaching the goal of zero carbon emissions.
Norsepower Rotor Sails are modernized versions of Flettner rotors. The Rotor Sail technology is based on the Magnus effect. When wind conditions are favourable, the Rotor Sails allow the main engines to be throttled back, saving fuel and reducing emissions while providing the power needed to maintain speed and voyage time. A variable electric drive system, which is powered by the ship's low voltage network, is used for rotating the Rotor Sail. The Norsepower Rotor Sail technology is around ten times more efficient than a conventional sail, because more lift is produced with a much smaller sail area. Due to its simplicity, it requires no reefing or crew attention when in operation. It is a "push-button wind propulsion" from the bridge.
“Wind power will make a critical contribution to achieving shipping’s decarbonisation goals. It is a freely available resource for us to utilise and investment in clean technology such as Rotor Sails has become an obvious solution for several reasons. Our continuous design and incremental improvements mean that we are confident that Rotor Sail efficiency will realise average fuel and emissions savings of up to 25% with the right set of criteria, without compromising a vessel’s operational efficiency and performance.”
Tuomas Riski, CEO of Norsepower
In the case of the most recently installation on Vale’s VLOC, Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution technology is expected to result in 25% of fuel savings and emission reductions during shipping with the potential to achieve an efficiency gain of up to 8% and a consequent reduction of up to 3,400 tons of CO2 per year. This is significant when set against the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) global target of a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions cause by shipping until 2050. Even when the IMO’s target is transposed to each vessel, and that target becomes 85% per ship (when factoring in the rise in global trade between the 2008 baseline set and 2050), an 8% reduction represents an important step to take.
“Although shipping is still the most environmentally efficient way to transport the majority of the world’s goods, the industry recognises the need to adapt and urgently reduce its environmental footprint. Shipping is heavily relying upon new, innovative technologies and solutions, complete with the necessary financial backing, in order to achieve its decarbonisation goals. Rotor Sails provide an opportunity for the shipping industry to make great strides in meeting its 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets; not only improving environmental performance, but slashing fuel costs too.”
Tuomas Riski,CEO of Norsepower
Norsepower has now completed installation on six vessels, including Scandlines ferry M/V Copenhagen operating between Germany and Denmark and tanker Maersk Pelican, with installation plans for a number of vessels ongoing, allowing them to showcase the benefits on a wide range of vessel types and shipping routes. Each installation has made significant reductions to fuel costs and emissions, confirmed by independent verifiers such as ABB, NAPA and Lloyd’s Register. The latest installation includes five tilting Rotor Sails on board a new-build Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) chartered by Vale, the Brazilian mining company. This is the first installation of Norsepower’s innovative Rotor Sails on a bulk carrier.
About the EIC GHG programme
With the EIC GHG programme, part of the Business Acceleration Services, the EIC offers its beneficiaries the support and expertise needed to assess, track and efficiently reduce their carbon footprint through the use of a dedicated GHG tool, monthly webinars and further support services.
In addition, co-creation activities with corporates, industrial associations, regions in carbon transition and other SME are currently ongoing. Applications for the EIC GHG: Co-creation with SUEZ and Cepi are still open! More information on the EIC GHG programme can be found here.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.