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Wind as main propulsion by ORCELLE

Projektbeschreibung

Wind als sinnvolle Option zum emissionsfreien Antrieb

Der Windantrieb ist eine vielversprechende Lösung auf dem Weg zur Dekarbonisierung. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird das EU-finanzierte Projekt Orcelle eine Windkraftlösung als Hauptantriebsform entwickeln und demonstrieren. Orcelle erwartet einen Anstieg der Energieeffizienz von über 50 % (durchschnittliche Einsparungen im Ganzjahresbetrieb). Während in Situationen, in denen nicht genügend Wind vorhanden ist, Motoren eingesetzt werden können, könnte der Gewinn an Energieeffizienz unter idealen Segelbedingungen nahezu 100 % erreichen. Ausgehend von den ersten Entwürfen für einen Schiffsprototyp werden im Rahmen des Projekts nun zwei Demonstrationsanlagen gebaut: eine nachgerüstete Einflügelanlage (mit einem angestrebten Effizienzgewinn von 10 %) und eine neu gebaute Mehrflügelanlage (mit einem angestrebten Effizienzgewinn von insgesamt über 50 %).

Ziel

The Orcelle project is a flagship innovation project preparing the ground for wind as the primary propulsion source in deep-sea shipping. At the heart of the project lies a bold ambition: to enable a new generation of large RoRo vessels where wind provides more than 50 percent of total annual propulsion energy, and under ideal conditions, up to 100 percent of propulsion power during full sailing days. The goal is to drastically reduce fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining operational flexibility and commercial viability.

To achieve this, the project brings together advanced simulation tools, digital platforms, control systems, and vessel design with real-world operational experience from a wing system. We are not only developing the concept, we are demonstrating it at sea.

A key achievement of Orcelle is the full-scale wind propulsion demonstrator on board Tirranna, a vessel in Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s global fleet. This one-wing retrofit, targeting 10 percent energy efficiency gains, is equipped with a comprehensive sensor suite and control system. It serves as a testbed for validating wing performance, automation, safety procedures, and dynamic weather routing strategies under real operating conditions across global trade routes.

The knowledge and data generated through this demonstration directly inform the ongoing development of Orcelle Wind, a multi-wing newbuild vessel design. While construction of this vessel lies outside the current project scope, we are delivering a complete, class-compliant design by the end of the project. This includes simulation-based performance validation, risk mitigation measures, and operational modelling, providing all the necessary tools and insight for a future investment decision by the shipowner.

To support this, the project also includes

Weather routing and voyage planning system to optimize wind-assisted performance

Simulation model validation based on real-world data from Tirranna

Business case framework and exploitation strategy to scale the concept across vessel types

Orcelle Horizon is coordinated by Maritime CleanTech, with strategic and operational leadership from Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a global frontrunner in RoRo logistics. The project builds on years of earlier research and development and leverages a powerful consortium of industry, academia, and innovation partners.

Beyond the retrofit and design work, Orcelle Horizon is developing conceptual wind-powered designs and operational strategies for other vessel types including tankers, bulkers, shortsea ships, ferries, and container vessels. These concepts will enable replication and scale-up, supporting a future in which wind propulsion plays a primary role across more than 80 percent of the global fleet.

By supporting the Orcelle project, the EU is investing in a concrete, scalable, and high-impact solution that delivers deep emission cuts, innovation capacity, and commercial readiness for a cleaner maritime future.

Wissenschaftliches Gebiet (EuroSciVoc)

Schlüsselbegriffe

Programm/Programme

Thema/Themen

Finanzierungsplan

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Alle im Rahmen dieses Finanzierungsinstruments finanzierten Projekte anzeigen

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

(öffnet in neuem Fenster) HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01

Alle im Rahmen dieser Aufforderung zur Einreichung von Vorschlägen finanzierten Projekte anzeigen

Koordinator

MARITIME CLEANTECH
Netto-EU-Beitrag
€ 617 551,25
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MEATJONNSVEGEN 74
5412 Stord
Norwegen
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Norge Vestlandet Vestland
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€ 617 551,25

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