Lead PI: Dr Sam Bull, University of Bath
Summary:
The project will investigate the interaction between Wind-Assisted Propulsion (WAP) devices and ship propulsion. By focusing on the coupling between the two, rather than isolated WAP performance, the sensitivity of optimum WAP performance to a broad range of ship propulsion systems can be assessed. This will inform future WAP design and provide critical insights into safer, more effective deployment/control for maritime decarbonisation.
The project will leverage a recently built wind tunnel rig of a Jet-Sail WAP, coupled with a ship propulsion system model in real-time, to quantify how wing operation influences propulsion demand, variable pitch propeller behaviour, fuel consumption, and emissions.
