Solar & Wind Assisted Vessels (including cargo vessels)

I've posted on a somewhat similar subject before, but this recent press release for solar/sail assisted cargo vessels desired a new subject thread.

Back to the future for a new world of sailing ships? Solar Sailor, an Australian company specialising in renewable energy technologies, is negotiating to install its solar and wind power systems on a massive dry cargo ship that could be used to haul iron ore from Australia to China.


'Solar sails on tanker - the concept'


The equipment is likely to be similar - but on a more massive scale - to the zero-emission systems the company has installed on four dual-fuel passenger ferries operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.



'Solar Albatross' (pictured) is a 24 meter 100 passenger carrying catamaran ferry with its stow-able SolarSails.

The boat service is between the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Kai Sai Chau Golf Club, ferrying golf club patrons to and from their three island based 18 hole courses off Hong Kong Island.

...more HERE
http://www.sail-world.com/cruising/index.cfm?nid=88054&rid=11

DynaRig

You are correct about that Dutch development (oops, excuse me I think the fellow was German, not Dutch)

http://www.symaltesefalcon.com/design-concepts.php


Per that other thread, I was just about to post a photo of that cruise ship to emphasize the windage she has. Also I was going to say what many people do NOT understand about the Chesapeake Bay is that it is an EXTREMELY shallow body of water....something like 85% of its total area is less than 6' of draft. Yes it has some relatively deep water channels in it, but not that many deep water anchorages. So trying to keep within those boundries with a big ship, with big windage, in high winds would be relatively challenging.

It been a long time since I sited that draft figure, so I might be a little off,....but it is a lot more shallow than many realize.

Back in 1986 when I was first trying to market this Fountain/Pajot catamaran, Louisiane, I used this handout at the Annapolis Show to try and get people's attention as to the usefullness of the shallow draft multihulls on the Chesapeake Bay. I just happened to find a copy of this old flyer in my pile of papers today. (note I quoted 70% extremely shallow)

Off the Topic

Sorry for getting off of the primary topic I brought up in this subject thread,... it just jogged some old memory cells, and had me scimming thru some old papers (pre computer days)

This 19" draft vessel is the one I took down the backside (inside passage) of the outer banks of NC, all the way to Moorehead City...interesting trip for such a large vessel.

Is it possible they were now left 'stowed flat on the roof' per the article?

"The SolarSails stow flat on the roof of the boat when not in use, although they continue to collect solar energy from the sun and store it in batteries in the two hulls of the catamaran.

The sails are engineered and approved by DNV for 44 knots of apparent wind with a 100% safety factor. The sails can be feathered or lowered into a headwind. In early trials when 'sailing' in a 15 knot true wind at 45 degrees off the bow give a 1.8 knot increase in boat speed from 14.2 to 16 knots with no increase in engine rpm"

When you think about it the solar cells of the SolarSails have to be at real low-productive angle of incidence when in the sailing position.

Does appear to be a non-sailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDdwhKzt5D4

Just received a photo of one of these HK ferries that appears to have the solar sails on it the folded configuration

I believe they are in their monsoon season right now, or likely when that photo was taken

Other Wind Powered Vessel Concepts

Just happened across this "web feed" (what ever that is). Anyway it had a collection of interesting illustrations and topics

******** - Maritime & Offshore » Beluga SkySails