The Emergence of the Sailet
In an innovative move, Japan’s Eco Marine Power has unveiled a novel sail gadget—the Sailet. With claims of amplifying the propulsive energy of stiff sails and offering protection during storms or cargo activities, this development marks a significant leap in the maritime industry. Unlike typical stiff sail designs which are exclusively used while a ship is in motion, Eco Marine Power’s EnergySail, which incorporates Sailet, ensures seamless operation to aid vessels in ports and whilst anchoring.
The Sailet’s dual functionality makes it an invaluable asset, propelling sail-assisted propulsion and acting as an energy-saving device. Eco Marine Power expects to pull through the patenting process for this device and initiate maritime trials by early 2024.
How Sailet Works
Sailet’s functionality largely hinges on computational fluid dynamics-based approaches. By simply manipulating the orientation of the Sailet, the forces exerted on a sail can be altered, paving the way for efficient load control. When tethered to the state-of-the-art computer-run automation and regulation system developed by Eco Marine Power and its strategic partners, the effectiveness of the Sailet is significantly enhanced.
The Appeal of Sails
The resurgence of interest in sails is noticeable in the maritime freight industry, with various technologies currently under scrutiny. The overall efficacy of sails and the potential energy they could contribute to vessels are major points of consideration. While some forecasts indicate a modest 8 to 10 percent increase, more ambitious predictions suggest energy boosts of nearly 30 percent.
The Pursuit of Rigid Sail Technology
Eco Marine Power doggedly pursues the advancement of rigid sail technology, primarily aimed at amplifying propulsive force. The EnergySail, a patented rigid sail, and wind-assisted propulsion gadget, has been ingeniously engineered to endure extreme wind conditions and sudden micro-bursts.
The Renewable Energy Quadrant
Supplementarily, the EnergySail can be equipped with renewable energy technologies like photovoltaic modules or wind power apparatuses, raising the energy output. It can also supply power to the ship during anchoring or whilst staying in port.
With its flexible design, the EnergySail can be attached to many vessel types, including large-capacity bulk ore carriers, RoRo vessels, and cruise ships. This versatile device is a vital component of Eco Marine Power’s Aquarius Eco Ship, which amalgamates the sail with other energy apparatuses and the Aquarius MRE system to harmonize the diverse energy systems aboard a vessel.
Future Steps
Shortly, Eco Marine Power plans to integrate the Sailet into its stiff sail and solar power solution, the Aquarius MRE. As the holder of several technology patents, Eco Marine Power received Approval in Principle from ClassNK in 2021 for its groundbreaking renewable energy system for ships. This marks a promising step forward for the future of sustainable maritime transportation.
