LLOYD's Register's Strategic Research Group, together with Totempower Energy Systems and Zodiac Maritime Agencies, are looking into the potential of wind-generation to power ships.

A fully autonomous wind-monitoring system designed and assembled by Totempower has been installed on the Zodiac-managed bulk carrier Cape Flamingo. Sensors have been installed in locations where the best wind conditions and the most relevant environmental data (wind speed, direction and turbulence) could be expected, with consideration given to the most effective locations for onboard wind generation, Digital Ship reported.

The project is expected to identify and measure the potential generating capacity from wind power for the ship's trading patterns. The data will be used to support the development of computational fluid dynamics-based simulation models that could be suitable for predicting the energy yields on other Zodiac ships.

"We are very excited to embark on this initiative," said Simon Turpin, environmental superintendent for Zodiac Maritime Agencies.

"The data-collection phase is expected to last four to six months. When the field trials are completed, we hope to have a better understanding of the feasibility of implementing wind turbines onboard our ships and the associated economic and environmental benefits."

Supplemental wind power is just one of many cleaner energy options being explored by the marine team at the Strategic Research Group in concert with shipowners, designers and operators; others include research into LNG as fuel, nuclear propulsion systems, solar and tidal energy and the potential of fuel cells.

"This is innovative work, and better onboard energy management is the goal," said senior specialist Spyros Hirdaris, Lloyd's Register.

"To save fuel and maximise the understanding of alternative sources of power, we need good data. This project is designed to provide the information that Zodiac needs to evaluate the effectiveness for effective wind-energy solutions."