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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Sail power is one of the oldest examples of humans harvesting renewable energy. Over time we've moved away from this ingenious invention, but on this page we explore a variety of reasons to re-explore how sail technology can help to significantly reduce the impact of our shipping and tourism industries.
History
History
"The invention of the sail was a technological advance of equal or even greater importance than the invention of the wheel.[a] It has been suggested by some that it has the significance of the development of the neolithic lifestyle or the first establishment of cities. Yet it is not known when or where this invention took place.[4]: 173
Much of the early development of water transport is believed to have occurred in two main "nursery" areas of the world: Island Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean region. In both of these you have warmer waters, so that use of rafts is possible without the risk of hypothermia (a raft is usually a "flow through" structure) and a number of intervisible islands create both an invitation to travel and an environment where advanced navigation techniques are not needed. Alongside this, the Nile has a northward flowing current with a prevailing wind in the opposite direction, so giving the potential to drift in one direction and sail in the other.[5]: 113 [6]: 7 Many do not consider sails to have been used before the 5th millennium BCE. Others consider sails to have been invented much earlier.[4]: 174, 175
Archaeological studies of the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture ceramics show use of sailing boats from the sixth millennium BCE onwards.[7] Excavations of the Ubaid period (c. 6000–4300 BCE) in Mesopotamia provide direct evidence of sailing boats.[8]" - Wikipedia: Sail
Benefits of Sail Power
Benefits of Sail Power
Kites & Sails to Reduce Fuel Costs
Kites & Sails to Reduce Fuel Costs
"Airseas projects the kite could cut fuel costs up to 20%, depending (of course) on the winds. And popular shipping routes already take advantage of the prevailing winds (which coincide with currents) to help push the ship along. Adding a kite would help significantly more." - FreeThink: The Return of Sail Power
Protect Marine Species
Protect Marine Species
Reduce Impact Fatalities
Reduce Impact Fatalities
In addition to solutions such as Marine Spatial Planning, using sails instead of motors can help protect marine species in multiple ways. A primary cause of fatalities in the high speeds at which ships and boats collide with animals such as whales and dolphins, though as we can see from many manatees, propellers also cause significant carnage. Sail boats and ships are generally quieter and slower than motor driven, meaning they post far less danger to the species we want to conserve.
Reduced Marine Noise Pollution
Reduced Marine Noise Pollution
Noise pollution under water is a growing threat to the entire food web, from plankton to the whales that feed on them. Changes to speed and propeller's can help, but wind power offers another solution to rapidly decrease noise pollution under the waves.
Switching motors for sails both reduces marine noise pollution and their harmful vibrations that disrupt the delicate hearing and intricate behaviors of species from coral and phytoplankton to whales and dolphins.
Energy Saving in the Transport Sector
Energy Saving in the Transport Sector
Saving energy in the shipping, transit, and tourism industries is an important step towards reducing global emissions, and reducing the impacts of air pollution.
Transit
Transit
Air Pollution
Air Pollution
"Around 90 per cent of world trade is carried by sea, and the French Association of Shipowners has predicted that five per cent of this could be carried by wind-powered ships in future. Clearly, sail ships cannot match the speed of modern cargo vessels, but there are many types of goods which are not perishable and where speedy delivery could be of secondary importance." - Sustainable Build: Sail Power for Ships
Fossil Fuels
Fossil Fuels
"One project in Denmark has designed a 50,000 tonne cargo wind-ship with hi-tech fibreglass sails mounted on steel masts. The sails have hydraulically-operated flaps and can be adjusted remotely from the ship’s bridge. By capturing as much wind energy as possible, it is envisaged that the sails will be able to drive the ship at 25 km/hr (13 knots) in a fresh breeze of 9 metres per second, blowing at 100 degrees or only slightly from behind. Propulsion by wind energy allows the ship to limit use of its diesel engine to those periods when the winds drop altogether, or blow completely the wrong way.
Another innovative concept being developed by a German company is to attach an inflatable aerofoil – made of waterproof textiles and resembling a very large kite or a paraglider – to a ship, to harness the energy of the winds high above sea level. The higher you go, the stronger the winds are likely to be. A computer autopilot system calculates the optimum angle, height and position of the aerofoil, and adjusts it by means of control lines and a winch. Like the fibreglass sails, the aerofoil – which can be retrofitted to ships – supplements the diesel engine, and it is estimated that it will capture sufficient wind energy to reduce fossil fuel consumption by between 10 and 35 per cent." - Sustainable Build: Sail Power for Ships
Downsides of Sail Power
Downsides of Sail Power
Slower Travel
Slower Travel
While sail power might not be the best for transporting lettuce or bananas, it could provide significant benefits for shipping non-perishable items such as technology, textiles, or building supplies.
End of Life Waste
End of Life Waste
"Sailing is an activity which really celebrates resourcefulness and practical thinking; skills which future generations will need in order to recycle and reuse items that are currently destined for landfill. The latest data from the EPA shows that while recycling rates have improved over time, there is still more waste generated per person. Sailing calls for traditional practical skills such as repairing sails, maintaining the assistance motor and practicing tying knots competently, to keep your vessel safe and sea worthy. Millennials do have one advantage here; the prevalence of online tutorials means that while these skills may currently be lacking, it’s always possible to learn them." - EcoClub: Smooth Sailing the Environmental Benefits of Boating Vacations
Textile Recycling Reduces Negative Impact
Textile Recycling Reduces Negative Impact
Sail material is particularly durable, making damaged and old sails particularly good sources of material for items like bags.
Sail Recycling
Sail Recycling
North America
North America
USA
USA
New England
SeaBags "are born as sails and transformed into nautically inspired totes and accessories that bring our customers great happiness. You see, we believe that sails soak up sun, salt, smiles and adventure.
Of course we clean our sails before we make them into bags, our materials retain the essence of what they once were, where they've been and what they've done. It's this previous life that makes each bag unique."
Resources
Resources
Educational
Educational
We mostly think of boats when we think of sails, but the link to the left describes a variety of land-based transport designs. We have included some fun but simple, DIY, wind-powered car projects for students on our For Teachers page under "Engineering" and "Technology & Biotechnology".
Wind Maps
Wind Maps
These can help you plan your next voyage, eco-friendly shipping routes, or even aid in marine spatial planning.
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