Using remote wind monitoring to optimize wind-assisted propulsion
How MARIN is gaining performance and optimization insights for wind-assisted propulsion systems with Vaisala WindCube Scan
The maritime shipping industry is finding new ways to become cleaner and more sustainable. From optimizing ship design to adopting carbon-free or -neutral fuels, there are many ways to reduce pollution in overseas shipping.
Wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) is emerging as a promising method of harnessing the wind to reduce the use of fuel. WASP is a key technology in the future of clean maritime shipping, and MARIN—a leading maritime institute—is at the forefront. MARIN’s research capabilities combine software, model test facilities, simulators, and full-scale monitoring to enable cleaner, safer and smarter ships and operations.
The first complete wind profile from a vessel
There are several types of wind propulsion systems under development, and each must be tested extensively to evaluate its effectiveness. A critical aspect of performance testing involves capturing the wind profile surrounding a vessel to fine-tune propulsion system design and operation. Comprehensive, accurate wind measurements are essential: With it, researchers and operators can better understand and anticipate conditions to make the most of the surrounding winds.
MARIN teamed up with Econowind (a ship design and engineering company dedicated to wind- assisted ship propulsion) to evaluate in-situ wind conditions on a vessel equipped with two of Econowind’s VentiFoils® — aerodynamic, wing- shaped elements integrated with smart suction to create a high propelling force. The VentiFoils were installed on the forecastle of the MV Ankie, a freighter sailing the European coastal waters.
这两个组织发起了这项测量活动，专门用于通过扫描激光扫描来衡量风条件。使用扫描激光雷达可实现不受干扰的高分辨率3D风场，而无需使用其他风能测量设备，并且数据对于评估风向推进系统的现实性能至关重要。结果还将提供有关在船上测量活动中使用LIDAR的价值的见解。
This was the first time MARIN used lidar directly on a vessel to measure wind conditions for a wind-assisted propulsion system, and they needed the most accurate, dependable lidar available.
船上可靠的准确性
MARIN selected Vaisala WindCube Scan to conduct the offshore measurement campaign. WindCube is the industry-trusted standard for accurate and reliable wind measurements, and WindCube Scan provides 3D scanning at ranges over 10 km from the shore. The organization installed the lidar along with ultrasonic anemometers, Motion Reference Units (MRU) and other instruments to verify accuracy and performance throughout testing.
为期一天的审判于2021年3月24日在荷兰海岸距离约40 nm。Marin和Econowind从不同的风角进行了多次奔跑，并处于上下位置。研究人员将正向桅杆中的风速计的测量值与WindCube扫描（包括PPI：沿地平线的水平扫描），RHI：垂直扫描（如机翼）和DBS：垂直向上扫描等模式进行了比较。
Extracting vertical wind profiles with RHI offers insight into the actual behavior of the undisturbed wind over height during head winds. PPI scans reveal the undisturbed wind field outside the influence of the ship for an accurate comparison to predictions at the correct input wind speed and direction. DBS scans, taken before each run, provide a reference for all measurements.
Success for continuing research
The trials were successful. By using comprehensive lidar wind data, the VentiFoil operators gained new insight about accurately optimizing power to take full advantage of wind conditions.
WindCube Scan was proven to be valuable for measuring far-field wind data. Objects such as the VentiFoils and forward mast were easy to recognize in the data, and the lidar showed a fair comparison to the wind values at the same location as the anemometer in the forward mast. Researchers were able to obtain vertical wind profiles from the DBS scan patterns and compare them to a power law assumption for wind profiles. They also successfully calculated wind vectors (magnitude and direction) from the measured radial wind speed data in the PPI horizontal scans using the recent Volume wind algorithm.
All this information is essential for understanding the complete wind profile as well as fine-tuning operation and verifying system performance. The trials were conducted in relatively mild conditions without significant ship motions. MARIN will continue to evaluate lidar measurements in more severe conditions and, if more significant ship motions affect lidar measurements, they may develop a correction method using synchronous motions data.
"WindCube Scan offered unique wind field measurements. Instead of one point measurement by anemometer in the ship’s mast, this project’s measurements yielded full undisturbed wind field ahead of the ship and wind profile over height. As we continue our research, we will be evaluating this lidar even more as a future wind measurement solution to improve performance of wind- assisted vessels."
Gijs Struijk, Sr. Project Manager, MARIN
