Wind assisted propulsion system onboard ships: case study Flettner rotors
Nader R. Ammar, Ibrahim S. Seddiek
Abstract
The current research deals with the possibility of relying on wind energy, specifically Flettner rotors; as a source of ships propulsion to reduce ships’ emissions. The paper highlights the technical, environmental, and economic aspects of wind-assisted propulsion systems. As a case study, four Flettner turbines are examined to be used onboard a bulk carrier ship, considering three different routes. Technically, the ship’s route and wind characteristics are the focal aspects that affect the output power of Flettner rotors. The economic results indicate that the payback periods for the selected Flettner rotors will be 7, 13, and 11 working years for the first, second, and third ship routes, respectively, with considerable levelised costs of energy. Environmentally, NOx and CO2 emissions will be decreased by 154.3 and 5089 ton per year, for longest route, with cost-effectiveness of 3350 and 89 $ per ton, respectively with a 10 percent interest rate.