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Creative companies are always trying to “think outside the box”, whether that means developing a new, breakthrough product or finding an innovative use for an old stand-by. SkySails, a company which has revolutionized the shipping world with their towing kites, has accomplished the latter. SkySails was established in Hamburg, Germany in 2001 with the aim to reduce the fuel consumption of modern shipping by harnessing wind energy at sea. They were inspired by the historical use of sails to harness wind power, and the emerging sport of para-sailing.

SkySail’s website states: “It’s a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most cost-effective offshore energy source. Yet, despite its attractive saving potential, it is not presently being used by cargo ships - for a simple reason: so far no sailing system has met the requirements of commercial shipping.” The company has changed the industry by engineering a system that is easy to implement, whether outfitting a new vessel or retrofitting an old one. The entire system is controlled by a computer, which can be incorporated into the existing electronics on the bridge. Launch and recovery are as simple as pushing a button, and it takes about 10 or 20 minutes. The computer monitors the kite and controls its flight path and altitude. It flies higher than traditional sails, which allow it to capture wind that is stronger and more constant. Once it reaches altitude, the engines can be throttled back to save fuel without losing speed. The towing kite itself is approximately the size of a football field, but it stows easily in about the size of a telephone booth, allowing large shippers to maximize the amount of cargo they can carry.

Other design features also respond directly to the needs of cargo vessels. The kite is a double-walled structure made from highly tear-proof material. The double wall mimics the shape of an airplane wing, which allows it to operate not just downwind, but up to 50 degrees to the wind as well. The shape was engineered specifically to avoid heeling, or the tilting of the ship that is common among small sailboats. This makes for a safer ride, especially in high seas, since cargo ships are often carrying thousands of shipping containers on deck.

Rather than being an expensive proposition, this is one example of green technology that actually saves money. Based on today’s oil and gas prices, the system will pay for itself in 3 to 5 years. This type of technology is the key to getting businesses to adopt environmentally-friendly policies: it has to positively affect the bottom line. The most common drawback of green technology is that it tends to be more expensive than doing business the old way, and if more companies like SkySails can buck this trend, more businesses would be happy to do their part to protect the environment. This is the great challenge green businesses will face; if they can make environmental responsibility a money-saving proposition, they’ll be wildly successful. And all of us will benefit.

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 Both comments and pings are currently closed.

By Haley January Eckels