Stena Line, a Scandinavian shipping company, as part of its eco-saving efforts, has declared to introduce a passenger ferry fitted with two wind turbines. The ferry Stena Jutlandica, Gothenburg-Fredrikshaven will incorporate two wind turbines at the prow of the vessel to meet its energy requirement and to reduce its fuel intake.
A Stena Liner
The new ferry will have two vertical wind turbines each with a capability to generate 4 kW of power, mounted over 4 meter high towers on the prow of the ship. The power produced by the wind turbines will be connected to the power supply grid of the ship. Also their placement over the prow will cut down the air resistance faced by the ferry.
According to Robert Åkerlund, Stena Line’s Director of Technical & HR the power generated from the wind turbines will be utilized to light the car deck of Jutlandica. He added that the two wind turbines will produce around 23,000 kWh of electricity every year, which is enough to meet the power requirements of four normal houses for a year. He also said that the reduced air resistant level during the movement of the ferry at sea will save around 80 to 90 t of fuel every year, which can be equated to the oil used by 28 homes for their heating requirement for a year.