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LR releases findings of bulk carrier wind power project

LR releases findings of bulk carrier wind power project
London: Lloyd’s Register (LR) has completed the initial phase  of joint study with shipowner Zodiac and renewables company Totem into wind-generation aboard a bulk carrier, concluding that the technology "may be considered" for auxiliary power generation.

Research was carried out on  Zodiac Maritime Agency’s bulk carrier Cape Flamingo, involving an autonomous wind-monitoring system designed and assembled by Totempower Energy Systems, in 2012. Sensors were installed in suitable generation-locations where the best wind conditions and the most relevant environmental data (wind speed, direction and turbulence) could be expected.

"We are very happy with the outcome of this initiative," said Kalliopi Xypolita, environmental superintendent at Zodiac. "The data-collection phase lasted for seven months. We now have better understanding of the feasibility of implementing wind turbines onboard our ships and some of the associated economic and environmental benefits.”

Findings will now be used to support the development of computational fluid dynamics-based simulation models, suitable for predicting the potential energy yields on other Zodiac ships. While wind turbines of the conventional type may be able to contribute to the on-board auxiliary power supply, the study found, they are unlikely to replace it completely.