.png)
Drax Group, a leader in renewable energy, has teamed up with Smart Green Shipping to pioneer the FastRig technology, a potential game-changer for decarbonizing the shipping industry. This collaboration involves a £1 million investment from Drax, matched by the UK Government's Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) grant, to install a cutting-edge, retractable wingsail on a vessel. The goal is to demonstrate how this technology can cut fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30% annually.
Smart Green Shipping is currently conducting sea trials using FastRig on the Pacific Grebe, a vessel designed to safely transport nuclear materials globally. These trials, which are set to wrap up by the end of October, aim to furnish Smart Green Shipping with precise, independently verified performance data.
Shipping's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions account for about 3% of global emissions, which have increased by 20% over the past decade. Previous feasibility studies with Drax have already shown potential annual fuel savings of up to 30% on transatlantic voyages using FastRig.
If this latest demonstration proves successful, the next step will be installing the technology on a commercial biomass vessel, significantly advancing efforts to reduce emissions in this challenging sector. The initiative could also enhance the sustainability of Drax's biomass supply chain, which is crucial for producing approximately 8% of Britain's renewable electricity.
Drax strives to become carbon-negative by 2030 by implementing Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) at its Yorkshire power station, which has transitioned from coal to sustainable biomass. This technology could enable Drax to capture and permanently remove up to eight million tonnes of CO2 annually.
Drax's funding will also help develop Smart Green Shipping's portfolio of wind-assist solutions, including FastRoute. This innovative digital tool, developed in collaboration with the University of Southampton, merges AI and high-performance computing to analyze weather data and optimize shipping routes. FastRoute enhances the efficiency of FastRig-equipped ships, fostering confidence among investors about the technology's fuel-saving capabilities. Studies have confirmed that optimized weather routing can significantly diminish fuel consumption and GHG emissions.
Diane Gilpin, CEO and founder of Smart Green Shipping, said: “Wind is abundant, free, and exclusively available to any ship equipped to use it. Modern 21st century easily retrofittable wing sails lower the cost of propelling ships, which reduces the dependency on commodity-based fuels – whether fossil or alternative fuels – and improves supply chain certainty. Smart Green Shipping shares a joint mission with Drax Group to use renewables to move renewables. We are immensely grateful for the support from Drax Group to create seamless and easy-to-access wind solutions for cargo owners and ship owners. The first commercial installation of FastRig is incredibly exciting and an important milestone as we derisk the transition to wind for the whole shipping ecosystem.”
Miguel Veiga Pestana, Chief Sustainability Officer at Drax, said: “Smart Green Shipping’s technology represents a landmark moment for the maritime energy transition, and Drax is proud to provide this funding, which re-affirms our commitment to becoming a carbon-negative business by 2030. We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership as we work together on this exciting project, which could allow us to significantly reduce emissions from the shipping of sustainable biomass and help to decarbonise a crucial part of our global supply chain.”
Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “Reducing shipping emissions is vital if we’re going to decarbonise the sector and achieve our mission of becoming a Clean Energy Superpower. It’s fantastic to see Government funding making a difference, and we will continue to support the UK industry to deliver a cleaner, greener sector and develop the smart technologies of the future.”
Comments