Overview
The KITVES project was aimed at the generation of electric energy on vessels. In the troposphere, the wind increases its velocity with the altitude and this velocity is also more constant. The KITVES solution was based on the onboard realisation of a wind-powered generator, capable of harvesting the altitude wind to efficiently convert this wind power into electrical power.
The wings would be equipped with sensors that will identify position, orientation and acceleration of each wing. The data would be transmitted to a control unit (placed on the vessel) which would pilot motors (also placed on the vessel). Through a cinematic chain and two cables connected to the wings, the motors would control the flight of the wings. The motors would be equipped with double effect drives, making them act as power generators.
The main concept behind this project was the application of emerging technologies in the field of energy production towards the field of surface transport and with the main objective of performing the greening of surface transport itself, by the implementation of technologies for an optimal use of energy.
The main objective of the KITVES Project was to provide an innovative solution to the electric energy supply aboard vessels and would be available for the following purposes:
- Supplying energy to onboard services and auxiliaries;
- Supplying energy for traction purposes on electric motor-powered vessels.
Nowadays, medium and large vessel traction and onboard service energy supply is performed by electric motors supplied by an IC generator. Adopting the KITVES solution would mean applying beside or replacing the IC generator with a single wing array Kite Wind Generator®, obtaining the following advantages in respect to traditional wind traction:
- To harvest powerful geostrophic and gradient wind in the troposphere and transform it into electrical energy;
- To generate power, commensurate to the vessel requirements for auxiliary services, traction or both;
- To provide automatic optimisation of the balance between the amount of the generated energy and the resulting forces with regards to the velocity and the direction of the vessel;
- To allow shipping freedom, with airspace occupancy compatible to other vessels equipped with the same system and flying objects, automatically controlling the collision avoidance;
- To implement the take-off/landing of the wings and their recovery, allowing unattended operations.
Moreover, the forces exerted by the wind harvesting energy operations through KITVES, may also be used to provide or help the vessel direct traction. Even if the forces excerpted by the generator would usually almost be neutral for the vessel traction, the same forces may in fact help the direct traction. Whenever and if so desired, this could become a potential additional tool that is able to give the ship a desired movement and direction and be especially suitable in a risky or difficult manoeuvring context.
The project applied emerging technologies in the field of energy production and transferred this to the field of surface transport, in order to perform greening of the surface transport and make optimal use of energy.
Funding
Results
The adoption of the system indicated a significant saving in terms of fuel consumption. The final performances of the KITVES system were in the range from 1% to 3%, depending on the kind of vessel upon which it was installed. Furthermore, the forces exerted by the wind harvesting energy operations by the KITVES, may also be used to provide or help the vessel's direct traction, thus becoming an additional tool able to give the ship a desired movement and direction. This seems especially suitable in a risky or difficult manoeuvring context.
Innovation aspects
The KITVES solution was based on the onboard realisation of a wind-powered generator, capable of harvesting the altitude wind and efficiently convert wind power into electrical power. KITVES provided an innovative solution to supplying additional electric energy aboard vessels, for:
- Onboard services and auxiliaries;
- Traction purposes on electric motors-powered vessels.
Policy implications
Greening of surface transport by implementing technologies for optimal use of energy.
Strategy targets
Innovating for the future (technology and behaviour): Promoting more sustainable development