The Explorer is a one-of-a-kind search engine that showcases profitable climate solutions from all over the world which are part of an ever-growing, curated, and publicly-accessible database. Select your profile, your needs and climate goals to discover the solutions that fit best with your situation.

Explore Learn more

Cancel Confirm

My Search Alerts

The Solutions Explorer lets you create alerts that match your needs. You can create several alerts and you will receive a notification each time a new Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions is labeled and matches your filters.

Your Search Alerts will show up here.


Sign in to create alerts for your filters and search terms.

Sign in

Don't have an account?

Sign up

My Favorites

The Solutions Explorer lets you shortlist your favorite solutions.

Your favorites will show up here.


Sign in to add a solution to your favorites.

Sign in

Don't have an account?

Sign up

Contact the Solution's Provider

You can contact each Solution’s Provider through the « Solutions Explorer » contact form. The team will also follow up to make sure you’ll have an answer to your request.

Your contact form will show up here.




Sign in to contact the Solution's Provider

Sign in

Don't have an account?

Sign up

My Account

Sign in

Don't have an account?

Sign up

Rotor Sails

An auxiliary wind propulsion system to reduce the fuel consumption of commercial shipping

July 2019
  • /

Rotor Sails by Norsepower Oy Ltd. implemented by Airbus in Leiden (Netherlands) in 2024

By 2030, the new fleet will cut Airbus’ annual transatlantic CO2 emissions by a staggering 50% compared to 2023!

Rotor Sails

An auxiliary wind propulsion system to reduce the fuel consumption of commercial shipping

  • World Alliance Member
  • Featured Solution
  • Labelled Solution
Label Date July 10, 2019
From Finland
Maturity stage TRL 9 / CRI 3-4 - Commercial Scale Up / Multiple commercial Applications

The solution is based on the Magnus effect where a rotating cylinder creates a lift force when it encounters airflow created by the wind. This lift force is due to a pressure difference on different sides of the cylinder. The lift force induced by the Magnus effect can be as much as ten times higher than what the conventional sail could provide, making the principle ideal for auxiliary propulsion on large scale commercial vessels. With Rotor Sails it is possible to reduce the fuel consumption of the ship, saving in fuel costs, but also reducing the emissions related to shipping. Fuel consumption of a ship is typically reduced by 5% to up to 20%. The solution is suitable for approximately 25 000 vessels globally including tankers, passengers vessels, and bulk carriers.

The Environmental Benefits

  • Annual average savings potential of around 300-350 kW for one unit of the largest Rotor Sail model.
  • Annual fuel savings of around 300-400 tons.
  • A reduction of annual CO2 emissions of around 900-1200 tons.

The Financial Benefits

  • With an annual economic savings potential in global average wind conditions between 100 000 - 200 000 EUR per Rotor Sail.
  • Typical average fuel savings of around 5-20% per ship.

Target client profile

Activity Region

  • Headquarters
  • Activity

Company Profile

Norsepower Oy Ltd.

Norsepower is a Finnish cleantech company providing wind propulsion systems to reduce the environmental foot print of the global shipping.

Headquarters 00180 Helsinki, Finland
Type Startup or self-employed
View company profile

Networking Partner

Horizon Results Platform - European Commission

The Horizon Results Platform is a new European Commission platform helping EU Research & Innovation funding beneficiaries to valorise their results with a view to creating socio-economic impact.

Solutions Associated 20
View partner profile

Share

Contact the Solution Provider Add to Favorites

The information set out above, is solely for the purposes of information and the Solar Impulse Foundation does not provide any guarantee as to its authenticity, completeness or accuracy. This information does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy into, transact or to enter into any agreement with any of the parties or persons mentioned above. Potential investors or interested parties are solely responsible for their investment or business decisions and for performing any due diligence required by the circumstances. The innovator Norsepower Oy Ltd. has asserted ownership of the intellectual property rights for images, videos, and content showcased above, affirming full and unrestricted usage rights, and has provided explicit permission for the Solar Impulse Foundation to publish such information designated as "public" in the application form.