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Norsepower Rotor Sail™

Norsepower Rotor Sail™ technology is based on a physical phenomenon called the Magnus effect. The rotating cylinders use the wind to generate powerful thrust.

When wind meets the spinning cylinder, the airflow accelerates on one side of the cylinder and decelerates on the opposite side.

The change in the speed of air flow results in a pressure difference, which creates a considerable force that is perpendicular to the wind flow direction. The force pushes the ship forward.

Norsepower can provide with exact real-time data on how the product is producing thrust onboard the vessel and providing fuel savings.
Norsepower Rotor Sail™ has a patented way of using the air pressure measurement for control – and this can add the savings by approximately 20%.

A tilting foundation is available as an option. It allows the Norsepower Rotor Sails™ to be lowered to a horizontal position when reduced height (air draft) is required or for cargo ops. The Norsepower Rotor Sails™ are mounted on vessel-tailored foundations. The foundations can be integrated to a new build hull or installed during a yard stay as a retrofit. When the installation of the foundations has been completed, the Norsepower Rotor Sails™ can be lifted on the vessel and attached to the foundations during a regular port call. Easy, fast, robust and high-quality installations.

Norsepower Rotor Sail™ uses wind and rotating cylinders to create thrust. Just like a traditional sail, but on a bigger scale – and in a radically modernized way. It typically produces 5–25% fuel savings and emissions reductions, and even more in good conditions. Further benefits include regulatory savings and rewards.

In addition to the physical rotor sail, Norsepower provides all services needed during the whole lifecycle of the product, from pre-studies in sales phase to installation, commissioning to a global service network and control center. A range of digital features such as Norsepower Sentient Control™ and a data-driven preventive maintenance program are also available.

If you need options such as Norsepower Ice-prevention™ or Norsepower Tilting Foundation™ just tell us – we are here to help.

How do they work?

Norsepower Rotor Sail™ – a simple introduction

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Science behind the product: The Magnus effect

When wind meets the surface of the visible, spinning rotor part of the sail, the air flow accelerates on one side and decelerates on the opposite side of the rotor sail. The change in the speed of air flow results in a pressure difference. This creates a force that is perpendicular to the wind flow direction. The same phenomenon can also be observed for example in golf, tennis, or football, where spinning balls curve in flight.

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The optimal number and size of Norsepower Rotor Sails™ on a vessel depends on the size, speed, and operating profile of the vessel. Norsepower Rotor Sails™ are available in five different sizes:

• • 20m x 4m
  • 24m x 4m
  • 28m x 4m
  • 30m x 5m
  • 35m x 5m

We will help you to find the optimal solution for each project. This can include simulations, feasibility studies and support with the classification.
The Norsepower Rotor Sail™ consists of following elements:

1. The physical Norsepower Rotor Sails™, which deliver the forward thrust.
2. Foundation (with tilting option if needed) that is installed on the deck.
3. Norsepower Control™ panel and automation system, which gives the captain full control of the operation and optimises the savings.
4. Measurement devices for ambient conditions.
5. Norsepower Remote Service Support Agreement can be purchased for around the clock technical support and maintenance.

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Technical specifications & options

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Norsepower Tilting Foundation™

Multiple foundation options are available for customers. The Norsepower Tilting Foundation™, sold from 2020 on, allows the Norsepower Rotor Sail™ to be lowered to a horizontal position when reduced height (air draft) is required. Normally this can be required e.g. when passing below a bridge or during loading operations. The foundations can be integrated to a new build hull or installed during a yard stay as a retrofit. When the foundation installation has been completed, the Norsepower Rotor Sails™ can be lifted on the vessel and attached to the foundations during a regular port call.

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Norsepower Sentient Control™

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The Norsepower Sentient Control was launched in 2024. It encompasses all smart control features of Norsepower Rotor Sails™. The software comprises of multiple independent modules that enhance overall system performance. These modules account for various physical effects, such as complex aerodynamical interactions between sails, the main engine, and maneuvering.

Using AI and machine learning, the system combines traditional model-based optimization with patented force feedback and patented data-driven control methodologies. This integration allows it to account for vessel-specific nuances. To achieve maximum sailing performance the system corporates various physical effects from sail aerodynamics to ship hydrodynamics. The intelligent power distribution of the Norsepower Rotor Sail improves the fuel economy by considering the specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC) of the main engine and generator.

The Norsepower Sentient Control supports a holistic and economical operation of a rotor sailing vessel. It does this by providing sailing and power management advice, also considering the interaction between sails to maximize the overall benefit. The data driven approach of Norsepower Sentient Control provides a method for more accurate route optimization. Norsepower can provide a data-based vessel specific sailing performance model interface for third-party route optimization. The Norsepower Sentient Control can improve the overall system performance by additional 10–20%.

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Benefits

Fuel savings

Norsepower Rotor Sails™ provide a reliable and easy-to-operate wind propulsion system with a proven record — typically producing 5 – 25% fuel savings, and even more in good conditions. And don’t just take our word for it, the fuel savings are measured and verified by multiple well-known third parties such as RISE, NAPA, ABB, LR and Chalmers University.

The savings projections we provide with our feasibility studies are very accurate and reliable. They are based on more than 500.000 hours of real-life performance data of our product, the best route and weather data. Over the years, comparing the promised and later measured fuel savings has proven our tools and practices. Please ask for our Performance Data Overview brochure, if you are interested in details.

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CO2 reductions

By thrusting the vessel forward, Norsepower Rotor Sail™ enables the main engine to be throttled down. This cuts the emissions considerably. Typical, proven and
third-party verified annual reductions are between 5 and 25 %, and even more in good circumstances. To give you a picture how powerful the he sails are, in perfect
conditions the main engine can be momentarily turned off completely and the vessel sails with Norsepower Rotor Sails, alone.

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Regulatory savings

The current and upcoming marine regulation concentrates on pushing ship owners and charterers towards greener solutions. Luckily for our customers, regulatory benefits are available and Norsepower is a perfect answer to this call.

Norsepower Rotor Sails™ align with regulatory requirements from the International Maritime Organization’s guidelines including Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), ensuring both environmental sustainability and adherence to industry standards. This adherence means considerable savings for ship owners and charterers.

The actual regulatory savings can come from being able to use cheaper fuels, to be able to operate in all ports and to be allowed to operate with faster top speeds.
Please contact us for more details, but suffices to say that your financial savings will not be limited to the fuel-consumption related ones.

Norsepower Rotor Sail™ advantages

Due to our over 10-year track record of delivering sails to customers, Norsepower has many advantages on the market. We were the original provider of rotor sails – we actually even coined the term “rotor sail”, now copied by our competitors – and we are still the one brining all new innovations to the market.

• Third-party verified savings since 2014
• Proven product for various ship types: Tankers, bulkers, cruise vessels, RoRos, RoPax vessels, general cargo vessels, and ferries.
• AI-based Norswepower Sentient Control for optimum control and accurate reporting
• Autonomous push-button solution – no need for crew interventions during normal use.
• Ice prevention and EX (explosion proof) versions available for demanding conditions
• Robust, safe design, reactive control, tiltable foundation, and hi-tech materials guarantee the operability in harsh sea conditions.
• Small footprint: Easy to install, minimal impact on cargo operations