WISAMO Windwings for a more sustainable future

Michelin’s WISAMO is an inflatable, retractable and automated wing sail. While it is not intended to completely replace ships’ engines, it lightens their loads and decreases their dependance on fuel.

According to Michelin, the company that created the design, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 20% for existing ships and 50% for newly built models. “It is a revolutionary design that uses the wind – a free, universal and inexhaustible source of propulsion,” says Gildas Quemeneur, executive director of WISAMO. “Decarbonisation solutions need to come in many different forms. WISAMO – the name is a combination of the words wing, sail and mobility – is an important innovation that can help the maritime industry achieve its ambitious goals.”

Tested by Desjoyeaux

WISAMO was introduced as a solution at Michelin’s 2021 Movin’On World Summit for Sustainable Mobility, a forum of more than 5,000 public and private stakeholders committed to solving the challenges of sustainable transport. Michelin’s engineers began testing WISAMO on French sailing champion Michel Desjoyeaux’s yacht later that year.
Following feedback from Desjoyeaux, Michelin began testing a second prototype on the Compagnie Maritime Nantaise’s ro-ro ship MN Pelican. The ship’s routes included the Bay of Biscay, notorious for its rough seas and strong winter winds. Michelin’s robust WISAMO withstood these conditions well, and the Pelican’s captain and crew say they are impressed with its efficient operation.

Designed for the future

Unlike a traditional sail, which has a flat surface, Michelin’s WISAMO is inflatable, reducing mechanical stress and increasing durability. When conditions are suitable to catch the wind, small fans in the sail fill it with air while a telescopic mast hoists it high above the deck. When the vessel returns to port, passes under a bridge or faces wind speeds above 55 knots, the mast lowers and the sail deflates to neat folds above the deck.
These actions are performed digitally and automatically, with sensors determining the optimal settings for smooth and efficient sailing. The sail is easy to install and operate and can be used by both commercial vessels and pleasure craft.
“The WISAMO wing sail has one of the widest wind use ranges on the market, with proven effectiveness at many sail points. It is particularly efficient downwind,” said Gildas Quemeneur.

While Michelin’s current WISAMO model measures 1,076 square feet, Michelin is developing a larger version that reaches 8,611 square feet. Large container ships can use as many as six of the large sails. The first commercial deliveries are scheduled for 2026.
Michelin estimates that the WISAMO will pay for itself in about five years. After that, it will continue to generate additional savings throughout its life cycle.

Read the whole article on Business Insider‘s website.

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