10128079WindWingsHub: Towards building next generation of decision support systems for wind assisted vesselsClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKIn response to the climate crisis, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) aims to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, with a vision of eventually phasing them out entirely. This ambitious target has prompted ship owners and operators to rethink their propulsion systems, adopting more environmentally friendly fuels and alternative technologies. In this context, wind propulsion, an old idea with a new twist, is gaining renewed attention. BA Technologies (trading as BAR Technologies) has emerged as a global leader with their highly effective wind propulsion system, WindWings. This system has shown remarkable potential in reducing CO2 emissions, achieving a reduction of 4.71 tonnes per wing per day. Despite this potential, wind power technologies have not yet achieved full market maturity. Currently, most vessels using wind technologies are small vessels on short voyages, with only a few large commercial vessels in operation. Although this trend is changing, broader adoption of WindWings among major vessel owners and operators faces challenges due to the complexity it introduces into fleet operations. BAR Technologies has identified the need for a decision-support tool to facilitate the integration and optimisation of WindWings across maritime operations. The proposed solution, WindWingsHub, is a comprehensive digital platform designed to enhance decision-making processes at various levels of maritime operations, promoting the adoption of WindWings technology and improving overall fleet efficiency. WindWingsHub will address several key objectives: 1. Vessel-Level Optimisation: Provide real-time analytics on fuel consumption, engine performance, and route efficiency to maximise the operational efficiency of WindWings-equipped vessels. 2. Maintenance Enhancement: Enable access to detailed maintenance data, allowing for proactive management and minimising downtime. 3. Fleet-Level Analytics: Aggregate data across the fleet to analyse performance trends and operational effectiveness, supporting strategic fleet management decisions. 4. Corporate Decision Support: Equip corporate stakeholders with data-driven insights to facilitate the adoption of WindWings technology, enhancing environmental compliance and market competitiveness. By enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of WindWings-equipped vessels, WindWingsHub will significantly contribute to fuel savings, emission reductions, and improved regulatory compliance. Furthermore, by simplifying the integration and management of WindWings, the project will accelerate the maritime industry's transition towards sustainable practices, ultimately expanding the market reach and environmental impact of BAR Technologies' net-zero innovations.