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Skysails wind propulsion system for modern nautical shipping
Applicant: SkySails GmbH & Co. KG
Nation: Germany
Skysails wind propulsion system for modern nautical shipping
It is an obvious fact that wind is the most economical and environmentally friendly source of energy for propulsion. Sails were employed over millennia to propel ships. SkySails has developed a wind-driven sailing system that utilizes the wind while meeting the demands of modern nautical sailing. The system employs a towing kite in combination with wind-optimized routing. The overall system is installed as an auxiliary propulsion system and On annual average, fuel costs and emissions can be reduced by 10 to 35%, depending on the type of vessel, actual wind conditions and actual utilization. Under optimum conditions, fuel consumption can be reduced temporarily by up to 50%. Projected for the 100,000 ships that would be suitable to utilize this system, our climate could be relieved of 150 million tons of CO2 annually. The pilot phase was completed in 2008. The Norwegian shipping company Wilson has already equipped two freighters with Skysails; additional ships will follow after a test phase.
Brandix Green Project
Applicant: Brandix Lanka Limited
Nation: Sri Lanka
Brandix Green project
With its 25,000 employees, Brandix Lanka Limited is Sri Lanka’s largest exporter of casual wear. The company has launched an eco-initiative aimed at making the company CO2-neutral within five years. In 2007 one of the company’s largest production sites was retrofitted to green production, and a year later the first evaluation took place. What is good for the climate also helps the 1600 employees who daily work on 900 sewing machines to enjoy a completely new quality of work.
The measures include installation of a highly efficient air conditioning system, installation of overhead lighting, roof insulation and painting in reflective white, installation of additional high-insulation glass for more lighting and better work quality, application of modern HVAC technology (LED lighting to steam distribution), modern energy management system, rain water harvesting, water-saving faucets, and water recycling. Instead of asphalting the area outside the building, heat-absorbing cobblestones were used; a biogas system was installed; two inner courtyards were created as green spaces; electric vehicles are in daily use, including for waste removal. In addition, employees are continuously informed about measures and their effects.
The results are impressive: 78% less CO2 emissions with uniform production, 44% less energy consumption, 58 % less water consumption, 71% less SO2 emissions and 92% less NOx. In addition, more than 95 % of the waste is recycled.
City of Burgos explores new approaches to sustainable mobility
Applicant: Ayuntamiento de Burgos (Burgos City Council)
Nation: Spain
City of Burgos explores new approaches to sustainable mobility
Mobility in the Spanish city of Burgos is sustainable and environmentally friendly. To achieve this, various projects were conducted, including a free bicycle loan system that enjoys 4000 members. The materials for the bicycles and the bicycle loan points are all recyclable. All marketing materials are printed on recyclable paper. Burgos decided to limit access to the city via auto and transformed 4 km² of the city into a pedestrian zone. A traffic center with 24-hour monitoring controls traffic access.
Likewise public transportation was integrated in the sustainability concept: Clean vehicles use only bio-fuels, such as the 27 new biodiesel buses, and fuel stations were established. To recycle used vegetable oil, the city council introduced an awareness campaign. All buses were equipped to enable handicapped access and all bus stops are accessible by wheelchair.
As a result, the auto-free city center reduces air pollution by 30%. In addition, CO2 emissions were significantly reduced; the CO2 emissions of public transportation were reduced by 25%. The project enables residents to enjoy a city center that is free of autos and the associated pollution and noise.
