The Wind Hybrid Coast, which is among the lines of the MariTIM innovation projects, centers around an all new generation of motor-rotor-sailing vessels that are currently in the development stages and are being intended for the purposes of short sea trade. It is a co-op effort that features 15 partners in total. They are trying to integrate a lightweight wind sail system design with aerodynamic rotors for small coasters. The basis of the project in question is a multipurpose vessel with a deadweight of 4.000 tons. The ECO FLETTNER rotors intended for the ship are to exploit wind speed energy in a wide range of levels. The fuel consumption, the engine propulsion and the noxious emissions can be greatly decreased via the thrust that will be additionally obtained due to the wind energy.
Two ECO FLETTNER rotors offer a high level of performance and a 108-square-meter sail area and are going to take over up to 100% of the demanded propulsion power given optimal wind conditions. The WHC’s propulsion concept features the sail system along with an engine drive that comes along with generators and a pair of electric motors. A drive shaft is employed to transmit the additional engine power with a fixed pitch propeller and it is supposed to provide a service speed level of 12 knots. The drive system itself can be adjusted and given that sailing performance increases the engine power can be efficiently reduced. Currently, the prototype of ECO FLETTNER is being constructed in Leer and is going to be soon put to initial testing on a trial vessel.
After completing the on-shore tests the ECO FLETTNER is going to be integrated onboard a vessel to carry out its first seal trial tests. After proving that it is capable of operating in a safe and economic manner a new eco-ship prototype with a tailor-made rotor drive system is going to enter development. The Wind Hybrid Coaster sets to comply with all requirements of the coast trade market while at the same time managing to greatly reduce its carbon footprint.