The ‘VentoFoil XL sustainable wind propulsion for sea-going vessels’ project is co-funded by the European Union and stems from the major development opportunities recognised in the ‘Green & Digital Maritime Innovation Ecosystem North Netherlands’ (GDMIEN-NL) project.
This project further develops the VentoFoil technology for wind propulsion on ships. This vertical ‘aircraft wing with boundary layer extraction’ converts wind power directly into thrust. In doing so, it reduces dependence on fossil fuels and reduces the environmental impact for ocean-going vessels. The VentiFoils can be folded in order to reduce windage in head winds and stormy conditions, while this feature also facilitates easy cargo handling.
The project involves scaling up from a small model to a new larger version for use on ocean-going vessels. A prototype of the 30m VentoFoil XL will be developed, built, tested and demonstrated at sea. In the process, a fully digital control system based on AI technology will be developed and tested.
Project Activities
The activities of the project VenfoFoil XL are divided into five work packages (WPs).
1. WP1: Develop Digital Model VentoFoil XL (Q1 – Q2 2023)
- Design of geometry, construction, systems, control and automation
- CFD analyses
- Risk analysis and HAZID (regarding construction, testing, positioning and operation on vessel)
- Development of Digital Model and analysis and simulations of dynamic behaviour and performance
2. WP2: Building 30m prototype VentoFoil XL + 5m model for wind tunnel tests (Q1 – Q3 2023)
- Purchase components and build at Bijlsma Wartena
- Also purchase and install electronics and automation
3. WP3 Testing VentoFoil XL + evaluating Digital Twin (Q3 2023 – Q2 2024):
- Wind tunnel tests 5m model at DNW, German Dutch Wind Tunnel in Marknesse
- Develop and build test foundation + install it
- FAT at Bijlsma and Functional tests 30m VentoFoil XL on land in Harlingen with Maritime Institute Willem Barendsz (MIWB, part of NHL-Stenden, HBO Knowledge Centre)
- 1st operational tests + safety tests with MIWB
- Performance tests & measurements MIWB + optimisation of digital control
4. WP4 Demonstrate VentoFoil XL on board marine vessel (Q2 2024 – Q2 2025):
- Develop and build foundation for on board, integration with ship structure
- Placing VentoFoil XL on board vessel of Boomsma Shipping
- Demonstration voyages with practical measurement weeks emission reduction of the ship under variation in wind strengths
- Endurance tests with Boomsma ship over the 4 seasons with officers in formation of MIWB, including wind routing in various sailing areas + analysis of measurement data transmitted ashore
- Analysis of measurement data in relation to Digital Twin, evaluation of results and determination of average emission reduction of CO2 and NOx.
5. WP5 Projectmanagement (Q1-2023 – Q4 2025)
Project partners
Partners in this project derive from the partners of the GDMIEN-NL project which are: Econowind B.V., Hofmeester Custom Products B.V., Bijlsma Marine Services B.V., Bijlsma Wartena B.V., T. Bijlsma Grouw Beheer B.V., Boomsma Shipping B.V., Boomsma Crewing B.V., Global Electrical Solutions B.V., NHL Stenden Hogeschool and Stichting DNW.
This consortium includes parties from the Northern Netherlands Maritime Innovation Ecosystem, from the complete value chain from ship design and production to a ship owner/end user of the ships, complemented by an upcoming global player in development and realisation of Wind Propellers.
It thus combines experience and knowledge of innovative ‘green’ propulsion technology, with knowledge of integration into ship (design) and on-board systems and ship operations. The companies are supported by a combination of knowledge institutes from the maritime sector and aeronautics/aerodynamics: the MIWB (part of NHL-Stenden) with naval officer training and Lectureship Maritime Innovative Techniques and Northern Netherlands Knowledge Centre Wind Propulsion and the German Dutch Wind Tunnel (with National Aerospace Centre NLR as parent) with specific knowledge and capabilities for testing boundary layer suction at low air speeds on large models.
Econowind and Conoship have jointly developed the specific knowledge on VentiFoils with support from TU Delft and MARIN (Maritime Research Institute for Naval Propulsion in Wageningen and world leader in this field), which in turn provides CFD expertise to Econowind in this project. In this project, this unique Northern Netherlands consortium of SMEs thus valorises knowledge from the maritime and aerodynamic Dutch Top Institutes and thus aims to become distinctive in the region, and also from Northern Netherlands to become distinctive world player in ‘green’ innovative ship propulsion.
