Drax Group has partnered with Smart Green Shipping to advance wind-assisted “FastRig” technology aimed at reducing emissions in the shipping sector. With an investment of £1 million from Drax, matched by the U.K. Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) grant, the project will install lightweight, retractable wingsails on a vessel to demonstrate potential reductions in fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30% per year. Smart Green Shipping is conducting sea trials of the FastRig technology on the Pacific Grebe, a specialist vessel operated by Nuclear Transport Solutions. These trials, concluding by the end of October, will provide performance data to verify emissions reductions. Shipping emissions currently account for around 3% of global emissions, and early studies suggest the FastRig could save up to 30% in fuel on transatlantic routes.
If successful, this initiative may lead to FastRig installations on commercial biomass vessels, helping decarbonize the shipping of Drax’s sustainable biomass, which contributes to approximately 8% of Britain’s renewable power. The company aims to achieve carbon-negative status by 2030, supported by Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) at its Yorkshire power station. The partnership will also support the development of FastRoute, a digital platform created with the University of Southampton that uses artificial intelligence and weather data to optimize routes for wind-assisted ships, enhancing fuel savings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Diane Gilpin, CEO of Smart Green Shipping, highlighted that modern wing sails offer a cost-effective, wind-powered solution that can lower fuel dependency and enhance supply chain reliability. Drax’s chief sustainability officer, Miguel Veiga Pestana, expressed pride in supporting this project, which aims to make a significant impact on decarbonizing maritime logistics. The U.K. Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, praised the initiative and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting cleaner and greener advancements in the sector.
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