What will they dream up next? In what must surely rank among the most radical innovations to emerge from the clean-technology movement, the blog CleanTechnica informs us that a British firm has come up with an idea for a cargo ship that burns no fossil fuels. Instead, it runs primarily on wind.
Yes, this "futuristic" vessel, as CleanTechnica describes it, would sport giant vertical beams outfitted with humongous cloth wind-catching devices, known as "sails." It must be said that these elaborate mechanisms look rather ungainly, and skeptics might wonder whether an energy source as unreliable as the breeze could ever actually power something as bulky as a seafaring craft.
But just imagine if it worked! "If it proves successful," the blog enthuses, "the new B9 cargo ship could usher in a new era of fossil fuel-free technology at a critical time for the shipping industry."
The whole notion sounded almost too ingenious to be true. So I called up the good folks at B9 Energy Group to make sure this wasn't some kind of a hoax.
Not at all, managing director David Surplus assured me. Applying wind power to ships might sound far-fetched today, but if oil prices keep rising, it might well make economic sense in the not-too-distant future.
Indeed, B9's project has already attracted interest from several potential clients - mainly shippers of another futuristic energy technology, called biomass, or "wood." It turns out that several European countries, including the United Kingdom, are looking into pellets made from dead trees as a carbon-neutral source of electricity. This would require importing large amounts of the stuff from tree-rich locales like Russia, the Carolinas and Brazil. Transporting it via wind-powered ships would keep the process environmentally friendly.
For the time being, these wind vessels will likely be limited to fairly short runs along particularly windy corridors, like between the Baltic states and Britain. Even so, Surplus admits there will be times when the wind just doesn't cooperate. On those occasions, the ship will turn to biofuel-powered engines.
For anyone still dubious, B9's website insists that "the key elements of the design solution are all readily available today and have been more than adequately proven." Surplus told me that's a reference to American venture capitalist Tom Perkins' famous high-tech yacht The Maltese Falcon, whose rigid-sail design has proven seaworthy in cross-Atlantic voyages. As with that yacht, the B9 ship's sails will be electronically controlled, requiring no rigging or manual operation to respond to changes in the wind.
Convinced at last that the concept might be viable, I was no longer surprised to learn from CleanTechnica that other companies besides B9 are already on the same tack. "If B9 wants to produce the world's first fleet of commercially viable wind powered cargo ships, it better get a move on," the story urges.
In fact, if Surplus himself is to be trusted, it had better get a time machine on. Believe it or not, Surplus informed me that the idea of wind-powered navigation has been around for centuries. Numerous civilizations, including the Ancient Sumerians, have employed it in various forms. Who knew?
Local News
Slate: British Firm Explores Idea of Wind-Powered Ship
- Local News
-
-
Main Street rocks for seventh straight year
Main Street in Speedway will be loud and proud for the seventh consecutive year when the annual Rockin’ on Main Street event runs from 5 to 11 p.m. this Friday.
-
Beacon of Hope hosting breakfast
Terry Moore, executive director of Beacon of Hope Center for Women, says $200 could save someone’s life.
-
Student hit by vehicle walking to school
A Ben Davis High School junior was reportedly struck by a vehicle while walking to school Monday morning just before 7:30.
-
City named in wrongful death suit
A family here is suing the City of Indianapolis, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, and Sheriff’s Van transport driver Deputy Erich Gephart after an accident in October 2012 claimed the life of Adam McCarty.
-
Colts P.R.I.D.E. invades Danville South
Danville South Elementary School was named the winner of the Colts P.R.I.D.E. contest, hosted by h.h. gregg, after submitting a video that showed the school representing their P.R.I.D.E. (Play 60, Respect, Intelligent Decisions, Diet, Education).
-
County to host final public meeting on proposed park
Hendricks County Parks & Recreation now has one draft master plan for its newest public park. And residents have one opportunity left to offer input before officials make it final.
-
Indiana seventh in dog bite insurance claims
Ranking first in dog bites is a title that no community strives to attain. To help reduce the number of dog bites across America, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is offering Indiana residents concrete ways to help reduce the number of dog bites in their community during National Dog Bite Prevention Week.
-
St. Susanna School earns Indiana Four Star status
PLAINFIELD — The staff and students at St. Susanna School were thrilled to find out they reached Indiana Four Star designation by the Indiana Department of Education. Hendricks County schools have been earning this status for some time and now St. Susanna has the same bragging rights.
-
First step toward a rewrite of the criminal code is signed into law
Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) said he was pleased to see years of hard work come to fruition this week as Gov. Mike Pence signed House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1006, a rewrite of Indiana Criminal Code, into law.
-
Local firm holds veteran information event
Roy Strong of Strong Financial Services in Brownsburg has been helping families who are transitioning into the health care environment, whether it is assisted living, nursing home care, memory care, or home care.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Main Street rocks for seventh straight year
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
