2 ms·
In terms of the scale of energy. The largest masts in the world are on the order of 100m. An 80m blade wind turbine is rated 8MW or so. A container ship produce
by Schroedingersat 4y ago
In terms of the scale of energy. The largest masts in the world are on the order of 100m. An 80m blade wind turbine is rated 8MW or so. A container ship produces 50MW or so.
It'd be feasible for slow steaming if you couldn't use sails for some reason.
- cogman10 4y agoI just don't see the point. That 8MW is after the energy loses of converting mechanical to electric energy. That process is 20->40% efficient (meaning 12->32ish MW is ultimately lost to friction). A mast is much more efficient simply because it's not doing the mechanical to electrical transition. Perhaps it's worth it if you charged batteries while docked and used those batteries + mast mode while sailing? A hybrid if you will?
- Schroedingersat 4y agoThe potential upsides I can see are: ability to point or move through canals without tacking; time averaging; and geometry to work around the cargo better. A kite seems like a better solution, but maybe a hybrid might be an option -- ie. get some power from wind and the rest from a battery. Then if you have to wait for a port or canal you're gaining range the whole time. Could throw solar into the mix, but without high efficiency tilting panels it's hardly relevant.