Skysails:-Introducing to "Green ships" Technology

INTRODUCTION:-

Skysails’ is that genre of engineering science that uses extensive utilization of wind energy to move a vessel in the sea water. In terms of going green and using natural resources as effective energy suppliers, ‘Skysails’ is the ultimate vision as a green ship.

The skysail engineering science incorporates the use of towing kites to make the vessel move forward rather than the traditional concept of sails or diesel or steam propulsion. And since the ‘Skysails’ technology allows the towing kite to gain a height of anything between 100 metres – 300 metres, it becomes implied that this is the height where stronger winds tend to prevail. Because of such in-depth thought process involved in the designing of this green ship, there is no denying that if the skysail technology is used far more extensively, it will lead to immediate and prompt problem solving of the crisis of marine pollution and degeneration of the marine life-forms and eco-system.

How it Works?

The specific towing kite is made in such a way that it can be raised to its proper elevation and then brought back with the help of a ‘telescopic mast’ that enables the towing kite to be raised properly and effectively. This helps to facilitate the best possible speed for the naval vessel. The entire process of the mast raising and then folding the skysail back, takes anything between 10-20 minutes and is a splendid sight to see. Another important aspect about the skysails involved is that they can be raised only when the wind is right because the skysail will not work effectively in generating the required speed for the naval vessel.

It can be said that the shape of the skysail takes the form of a paraglider when it really high in the sky and as far as providing acceleration to the naval vessel is concerned; skysails allow a naval vessel to generate a speed which is easily five to 25 times more potent than routinely used sails.