Japanese trio plans to use wind energy for auxiliary power

Conglomerates Orix Group and Sumitomo Heavy Industries will study the use of wind energy for auxiliary power on one of Orix’s bulk carriers.

PHOTO: Polyethylene fiber fabric wind sails on a boat. North Sails

Sumitomo Heavy Industries will participate in the study through its marine arm, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering.

Wind-assisted auxiliary propulsion will help reduce the vessel’s dependence on heavy fuel oil, which is used as the primary fuel, according to Orix Group. This approach can improve the vessel’s energy efficiency, the company added.

The wind power will be generated by a wing-shaped soft sail installed on the derrick post of the bulk carrier. The sails will be manufactured by the Japanese engineering firm North Sail Japan.

“The soft sail used in this study is made of advanced polyethylene fiber fabric, measuring 8 meters in height and 13.2 meters in width, and its angle of attack can be adjusted depending on the wind direction,” the company explained.

By Konica Bhatt

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