Bringing sailing back to shippingMore information at norsepower.com

Rotor Sail technologyOverview

Configuration

Magnus effect principle

Operation

Installation

Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution harnesses wind to maximise ship fuel efficiency. When wind conditions are favourable, the Rotor Sails allow the main propulsion to be throttled back, saving fuel and reducing emis-sions by providing the required thrust to maintain ship speed and voyage time. Rotor Sails can be installed on newbuildings or retrofitted to existing ships. The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution is particularly suited to vessel types such as tankers, LNG carriers, Ro-Ros, RoPaxes, general cargo ships, bulk carriers, as well as cruise ships and ferries.

Norsepower Rotor Sails are available in five models with heights of 18, 24, 28, 30 or 35 meters.

The essential parts of the Rotor Sail Solution are:

The recommended number and size of Rotor Sails depends on the size, speed, and operating profile of the vessel.

The Rotor Sail technology is based on the Magnus effect. When wind meets the spinning Rotor Sail, the air flow accelerates on one side of the Rotor Sail and decelerates on the opposite side of the Rotor Sail. The change in the speed of air flow results in a pressure difference, which creates a lift force that is perpendicular to the wind flow direction. The lift force pushes the ship forward. The same Magnus effect principle applies to all rotating spheres and cylinders and can also be observed in golf, tennis or football.

The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution is best suited to vessels where:

An integral part of Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution is the NorseControl automation system. The crew has control of the Rotor Sails from the Control Panel on the bridge and can choose the operating mode as desired. In automatic mode the system monitors the wind speed and direction, and automatically selects the correct rotational direction and optimal RPM of the rotors to maximize the fuel savings for the vessel.

The Rotor Sails are mounted on vessel-tailored foundations, which are installed during a yard stay. When the installation of the foundations has been completed, the Rotor Sails can be lifted on the vessel and attached to the foundations during a regular port call.

Lower windspeed = Higher pressure

Higher windspeed = Lower pressure

T H R U S TT H R U S T

L O W E RS U P P O R T

U P P E RS U P P O R T

D R I V E

• The required installation space is available on deck

• The operating profile has a high time-at-sea ratio

• The prevailing wind conditions are favourable

• Norsepower Rotor Sails, which deliver the thrust force

• A control panel, which gives the bridge crew control of the operation and performance of the Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution

• A fully automatic control system, which optimises the forward thrust and fuel saving performance of the Rotor Sails

• A low-voltage electrical power supply to each Rotor Sail

Magnus effect

Typical scope of supply

References

Rotor Sail delivery includes:

• Rotor Sail units assembled, tested and ready for installation

• NorseControl automation system

• Installation supervision and commissioning

• Project management

Norsepower supports the customer with information related to foundation design and manufacturing, cabling, mechanical and electrical installations as well as with selecting the most cost-efficient transportation method.

A tilting foundation is available as an option to allow the Rotor Sail to be lowered to a horizontal position when reduced air draft is required.

Norsepower’s Remote Support Service Agreement includes:

• Spare parts

• Remote monitoring with monthly reports

• Remote expert support for possible troubleshooting and corrective maintenance work

• Training for ship’s crew and technical superintendents during the Rotor Sail installation and commissioning phase.

Until June 2021, thirteen Rotor Sails have been installed on six ships including tanker, bulker, RoRo and passenger vessels. More information at norsepower.com

Five tilting 24 x 4 Rotor Sails, May 2021

One 30 x 5 Rotor Sail, June 2020

Two 30 x 5 Rotor Sails, Aug 2018

Two tilting 35 x 5 Rotor Sails, January 2021

VLOC Sea Zhoushan, Pan Ocean

Hybrid Ferry M/V Copenhagen, Scandlines

LR2 Maersk Pelican,Maersk Tankers

RoRo SC Connector, Sea-CargoVerified savings

The fuel saving performance of the Rotor Sails has been verified during extensive measurement and analysis campaigns by third-party companies. Rotor Sails are proven to perform according to expectations in varying operating conditions.

At Norsepower we work continuously to develop and further improve our system, so we reserve the right to make changes to the information presented in this brochure without notice.

Technical Specifications

Rotor

Ambient conditions

Support structure

Drive

Polar Diagram: 1 x 35x5 Rotor SailRotor Propulsion Power [kW] & True Wind [m/s]STW = 15kn, EFF = 0.7

The polar diagram displays the forward thrust produced by the Rotor Sail in propulsion power equivalent kW’s for different true wind angles and true wind speeds for a ship sailing at 15 knots. In this example, propulsion power equivalent of approximately 3000 kW or more of forward thrust is produced when the true wind speed is more than 22 m/s and the true wind angle is 105-135 or 225-255 degrees from the bow. Correspondingly, more than 1000 kW of propulsion power is produced with 10 m/s and 60-130 or 230-300 degrees from the bow.

Maximum continuous thrust force, [kN] 100 175 205 300 350

Rotor speed [rpm]

Maximum operational wind speed, [m/s]

Survival wind speed, [m/s]

Foundation height (indicative), [m]

Variable speed drive voltage and input frequency, [V/Hz]

Hydraulic tilting mechanism

Weight of typical foundation [tons]

Regenerative braking/Brake resistor

ATEX compliant design

Rotor Sail assembly weight without foundation [tons]

Control system software

Ice prevention

Material

Operational temperature, [C°]

Material

Electric motor nominal power, [kW]

Remote control and monitoring System

0–180

35

70

3

Optional

20

Standard / Optional

Standard / Optional

Standard / Optional

Standard / Optional

Standard / Optional

Optional

59

NorseControl

Optional

0–180

35

70

3

Optional

17

Optional

42

NorseControl

Optional

0–225

35

70

2.5

Optional

15

Optional

38

NorseControl

Optional

0–225

35

70

2.5

Optional

13

Optional

27

NorseControl

Optional

0–250

35

70

Composite

- 30…+50 - 30…+50 - 30…+50 - 30…+50 - 30…+50

Welded steel structure

Welded steel structure

Welded steel structure

Welded steel structure

Welded steel structure

30

Standard

Composite

80

Standard

Composite

100

Standard

Composite

115

Standard

Composite

143

Standard

2

380-690V,50/60 Hz

380-690V,50/60 Hz

380-690V,50/60 Hz

380-690V,50/60 Hz

380-690V,50/60 Hz

Optional

9

Optional

20

NorseControl

Optional

M O D E L 1 8 X 3 2 4 X 4 2 8 X 4 3 0 X 5 3 5 X 5

Contact us: sales@norsepower.comTallberginkatu 2A, FI-00180, HELSINKI, FINLAND