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Advanced Wind Energy System Optimisation & Monitoring for Efficiency

Project description

Setting sail for wind-assisted propulsion systems

Wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) hold significant potential to advance green transition goals in the commercial shipping sector, providing an alternative, more sustainable propulsion solution. However, the lack of current support, standardised tools and methodologies has created challenges hindering the realisation of the full potential of WAPS. The EU-funded AWESOME project aims to develop innovative solutions aligned with IMO and EU regulations to advance and enhance the uptake of WAPS in the commercial shipping sector. The project will develop key validated and standardised methodologies and tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. It will also address and resolve important barriers hindering WAPS technologies, implementation and investment.

Objective

The AWESOME project, merges the efforts of 15 highly reputed institutions in the maritime field from 6 different European countries (Norway, France, Netherlands, Greece, Spain and Germany) to develop a set of innovative solutions fully aligned with EU and IMO regulations to accelerate the uptake of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) in commercial shipping. By delivering validated, standardised tools and methodologies to reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and investment uncertainty, the AWESOME project intends to address the main barriers currently identified and hindering WAPS full potential (performance uncertainty, lack of harmonised design and verification methods, and operational challenges).
The project will validate WAPS performance on two full-scale demonstrators—a retrofitted chemical tanker and a newly built wind-powered cargo vessel—supporting the development of standardised verification protocols, advanced route simulation models, and techno-economic and environmental assessment frameworks. A new Holistic Control and Management System (HCMS) will be demonstrated to coordinate WAPS operation with ship systems in real-time, complemented by a high-fidelity crew training simulator to ensure safe and efficient use.
AWESOME also delivers a web-based design tool featuring standardised retrofit and newbuild templates, supporting early-stage design decisions. The project’s outputs will feed into EU and IMO regulatory frameworks (e.g. FuelEU Maritime, IMO GFS), facilitate market recognition of WAPS, and strengthen the competitiveness and strategic autonomy of the European maritime sector. By enabling fuel savings and accelerating the path to standardisation, AWESOME positions Europe as a global frontrunner in wind propulsion vessels market.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2025-04

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Coordinator

KONGSBERG MARITIME AS
Net EU contribution
€ 1 457 268,75
Address
KIRKEGAARDSVEIEN 45
3605 KONGSBERG
Norway
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 2 081 812,50

Participants (14)