Hybrid Wind-Solar System Hits North Atlantic
A 909-TEU containership begins sea trials with horizontal wind turbines and solar panels to cut fuel use on North.
A hybrid wind-solar power system has begun sea trials aboard the 909 TEU containership Helgafell, marking a critical step toward reducing auxiliary engine emissions in commercial shipping. The installation, completed in late August in Aarhus, Denmark, combines horizontally mounted wind turbines and photovoltaic panels in a modular format designed for retrofitting existing vessels.
The Helgafell, a 137.5-meter (451-foot) vessel with a deadweight tonnage of 11,143 dwt, operates regular routes between Denmark and Iceland. The solution? SideWind’s horizontal turbines, housed in modified shipping containers, paired with Solbian’s custom PV panels covering the container roofs.
The trials, which began immediately after installation, will span four scheduled voyages over the next three months. The vessel’s first crossing of the North Atlantic, arriving in Iceland on late August, provided initial data on the system’s performance in real-world conditions. Oskar Svavarsson, CEO of SideWind, emphasised the significance:
Norwegian Cruise Line
“The sea trials will give us valuable real-world data on operation, control, and performance, and help us take the next steps towards a scalable retrofit solution for commercial vessels.”
Oskar Svavarsson·CEO, SideWind
The WHISPER project, which underpins these trials, is a collaborative effort involving 13 partners from six European countries. Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, it aims to demonstrate fuel savings of up to 30% for bulk carriers and 15% for containerships. The first demonstration, aboard the dry bulk carrier Maria Tipoc, combined solar cells on hatch covers with OceanWing’s rigid, tiltable sails. The Helgafell trials represent the second phase, focusing on the unique challenges of containerships.
Guomundur Oskarsson, Director of Logistics at Samskip, highlighted the balance between sustainability and operational reliability:
“It will provide valuable insight into how modular wind- and solar-energy technologies can contribute to more sustainable day-to-day shipping while maintaining the safety, reliability and quality of service our customers and crews expect.".
The modular design is key. By integrating the turbines and PV panels into shipping containers, the system minimises onboard modifications and maximises flexibility.
While the Helgafell trials focus on wind and solar, another Norwegian startup, Flex2Future, is pushing the boundaries further by integrating wave energy into the mix. The company has conducted laboratory tests in SINTEF’s ocean basin, using a scaled-down model of its offshore energy system. George Katsikogiannis, Project Manager at SINTEF, described the testing process:
“We connect numerical models based on both weather data and decades of hydrodynamic expertise to the motors that pull and push the structure. This allows us to recreate realistic offshore conditions in the ocean basin.”
George Katsikogiannis·Project Manager and Ships and Ocean Structures Scientist, SINTEF
Flex2Future’s CEO, Erik Svanes, underscored the potential cost advantages of a multi-source system:
“What SINTEF has managed to achieve with the power take-off and energy extraction from the cube tested in the Towing tank was absolutely outstanding.”
Erik Svanes·CEO, Flex2Future
Hybrid systems like those being trialled on the Helgafell and developed by Flex2Future could provide a bridge between traditional fossil fuels and zero-emission alternatives like green ammonia or hydrogen.
The next three months will be pivotal for the Helgafell trials. If successful, the system could be replicated across Samskip’s fleet and beyond, offering a template for retrofitting older vessels. Meanwhile, Flex2Future’s progress will be closely watched by energy analysts and maritime stakeholders alike, as the company moves from laboratory testing to real-world deployment. The race to decarbonise shipping is on, and hybrid renewable energy systems are emerging as a frontrunner.
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