Stena Line, First in the World With Wind Power Onboard a Ferry

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

As part of Stena Line's environmental efforts, a world first project is now getting underway.As the first passenger ferry in the world, the Stena Jutlandica, Gothenburg-Fredrikshaven, is being equipped with two wind turbines at the prow,which will contribute by both supplying energy and reducing fuel consumption.

     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110623/463306 )

"Within our Energy Saving Programme, we are currently pursuing 200 environment improvement projects and this is yet another very interesting project. Stena Line has a tradition of leading when it comes to the development of different types of new solutions," says Robert Åkerlund, Director Technical & HR at Stena Line.

The solution is based on two turbines that will be mounted on 4 metre high masts on the prow of the ship. The two turbines will produce current for the ship's electricity grid. Since they are to be placed on the prow, they will also contribute to a reduction in the air resistance.

"The two turbines will generate about 23,000 kWh per year, equivalent to the domestic electricity consumption for 4 normal homes during one year. Among other things, the electricity will be used to power the lighting on the Jutlandica's car deck," says Robert Åkerlund.

The reduced air resistance at sea will result in a reduction in fuel consumption of between 80 and 90 tonne per year.

"This can be compared to the consumption of oil for heating 28 homes during one year," Robert Åkerlund says.

Stena Line's operations in Scandinavia are already environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. There are electricity connections for all ships in Gothenburg and, during recent years, a number of environmental improvement measures have been implemented that have resulted in either reduced energy consumption or lower fuel consumption.

Pictures are available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stenaline/sets/72157627012163994/

And here is an animation showing the effects of the wind turbines: http://www.youtube.com/stenaline#p/u/0/Z7nqCtFhLIc

Facts:

Type:Vertical wind turbines

Generator capacity: 4 kW x 2

Estimated electricity supply:23,000 kWh/year, equivalent to the domestic electricity consumption for 4 homes per year.

Estimated fuel savings per year: 84 tonne, which is equivalent to heating 28 houses with oil per year. Resulting in a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 269 tonne/year and reduced sulphur emissions of 1.7 tonne/year.