An unmanned vessel is sailing the seas using fuel that has existed since 5000 BC, wind power. The earliest records of human beings exploring the planet was by boat. For as long as we have existed, the urge to find out what lies beyond the horizon has consumed us. The best way to explore a planet mostly made up of water is by boat. As well as transporting most of the world’s goods, the shipping industry has moved humanity forward at huge, container-ship sized leaps. However, the ever tightening emission regulations have found their way onto the world’s sea’s. So what’s the solution? Good old wind power.
How far back does humanity’s knowledge of wind powered applications go?
The earliest records of wind powered boats goes all the way back to 5000 BC, Egypt. Long before Christianity, the ancient Egyptians were using rudimentary boats powered by the wind to sail down the iconic Nile river. Bringing sustenance and materials to the nations of the world. Humanity owes a lot to those early wind pioneers that sailed up and down the Nile.
Another early use of wind-power dates back to China in 200 BC. The Chinese have always been extremely inventive and creative with the solutions to their everyday problems. Even that far back, someone in China began integrating simple wind pumps for water. Another element that we need in abundance. Using wind to pump water was truly inspired.
At the same time in Persia and modern day Middle East, they were using wind in much more complicated applications. The ancient Persians and their Arab friends figured out the earliest versions of the windmill to grind and produce grain ready for consumption. This continued and grew in size till eventually by the 11th century the practice of using windmills became commonplace in the Middle East.
What does the future of wind-power look like for humanity?
The mobility industry as a whole is focused on finding the next fuel source to power humanity into the next generation and beyond. The ever tightening regulations regarding emissions have been evident in the automotive industry, but they have now entered the shipping industry as most countries now have emission regulations for the large scale shipping industries as well as the automotive sector.
Some have speculated that the solution to guarantee a net-zero emission in the shipping industry is to return to the ancient technology of wind power. Specifically a company called Windship Technology has unveiled their newest design for a ‘True Zero Emission’ ship design based on the company’s patented triple-wing rig, as well as the new diesel electric ship drive system. Additionally they will also use a solar-panel array.
That means the 48 meter ship will have a unique triple-wing rig that is multiple times as efficient as a traditional ship. Not to mention the zero emissions the ship will produce. Essentially revolutionizing the shipping industry into a zero-emission market open for huge investment and a reduction in operating costs overall. It seems there are only positives in favor of the change.
Can the world make a return to the ever reliable wind power for the future?
The world is fast approaching a future were we return to a more peaceful and harmonious reality where the automobile is not welcome. But the world is covered in water and we can not imagine a reality without boats or ships. They literally move the world around on a scale that any other form of transport could never even conceive of. It must be noted that it is also one of the worst polluting industries in the world, hence the ever tightening regulations that have forced companies like Windship Technology to play their wind-powered hand at the poker table of mobility.
