KitVes aims to generate electric energy on vessels
In the troposphere, the wind increases its velocity with the altitude and this velocity
is also more constant. The KITVES solution is based on the on-board realisation
of a wind-powered generator, capable to harvest the altitude wind and to efficiently
convert wind power into electrical power.
The wings will be equipped with sensors. The sensors will identify position, orientation
and acceleration of each wing. The data will be transmitted to a control unit (placed
on the vessel) which pilot motors (also placed on the vessel). Through a cinematic
chain and the two cables, connected to the wings, the motors control the flight
of the wings. The motors are equipped with double effect drives, this way the same
motors act as power generators.
The main concept that lies behind this project is the application of emerging technologies
in the field of energy production to the field of surface transport, with the main
objective of performing the greening of surface transport itself by the implementation
of technologies for an optimal use of energy.
The main objective of the KITVES Project is to provide an innovative solution to
the electric energy supplying aboard vessels, available for the following purposes:
- supplying energy to on board services and auxiliaries;
- supplying energy for traction purposes on electric motors-powered vessels.
Nowadays, medium and large vessel traction and on board service energy supply is
performed by electric motors supplied by an IC generator. Adopting the KITVES solution
means to put beside or to replace the IC generator with a single wing array Kite
Wind Generator®, obtaining the following advantages in respect to traditional wind
traction:
- To harvest powerful geostrophic and gradient wind in the troposphere and transform
it in electrical energy;
- To generate power commensurate to the vessel requirements for auxiliary services,
traction or both
- To provide automatic optimization of the balance between the amount of the generated
energy and the resulting forces referred to the velocity and the direction of the
vessel
- To allow shipping freedom, with airspace occupancy compatible to other vessels equipped
with the same system and flying objects, automatically controlling the collision
avoidance
- To implement the take-off/landing of the wings and their recovery allowing unattended
operations
Moreover, the forces exerted by the wind harvesting energy operations by the KITVES
may also be used to provide or help the vessel direct traction. Even if the forces
excerpted by the generator are usually almost neutral for the vessel traction, the
same forces may in fact help the direct traction – when possible and if so desired,
becoming through this way a potential additional tool able to give the ship a desired
movement and direction, especially suitable in risky or difficult manoeuvring context