Imtech ‘Green’ Technology On Board Rainbow Warrior III
Imtech Marine Group has been commissioned to supply the entire ‘green’ technical infrastructure on board Greenpeace‘s new flagship Rainbow Warrior III. This is not an isolated project. Together with a large number of other initiatives, it serves as proof of the present development in ‘green’ ships.
Imtech CEO René van der Bruggen: “Our society is becoming more and more ‘green’ at an increasingly fast rate. Technology plays a leading role in this development. The trend towards ‘green’ technical infrastructure started in the energy and buildings sector. This was followed by ‘green’ data centres, and now this trend has also manifested itself in the maritime sector. As a technical services provider with an ability to offer ‘green’ total solutions through the combination of electrical engineering, ICT and mechanical engineering, we can offer the right services that align with this societal trend, all the more so because we can rely on a wide range of ‘green’ technical competences. The assignment involving the vessel Rainbow Warrior III, as well as various other ‘green’ maritime initiatives, means that Imtech is also able to operate as a front runner in the ‘green’ maritime market.”
The Rainbow Warrior III (almost 58 m in length) is the successor of the present eponymous Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior II. As an international environmental organization that works to bring about a sustainable balance between humankind and the environment, by means of research, consultation and actions, Greenpeace wants its new flagship to be the ultimate example of sustainability. The ship therefore has a ‘green’ design, is constructed from environmentally friendly materials, is equipped with ‘green’ technology and is characterized by the recycling of energy and water. The design is based on an extensive sustainability study. Preliminary tests were carried out at the Delft University of Technology and in a wind tunnel operated by Wolfson Unit Southampton.
The Rainbow Warrior III will be fully equipped with sails. Imtech Marine Group will be handling the engineering and a number of ‘green’ technical solutions, including the energy-efficient electrical propulsion, which results in considerable energy savings and substantially lower carbon emissions compared to a conventional propulsion system. This technology will only be used when there is not enough wind to sail. The emitted residual heat will be used to heat the water system. The intelligent integration of all electrical and electronic systems on board allows for additional energy savings. An important role has been assigned to the sustainable platform automation and the intelligent energy distribution system, which will be installed by Imtech. In addition, Imtech will provide the ship, which has been fitted with a helicopter platform, a conference room for 50 people and a ‘campaign office’, with the most up-to-date navigation and communications technology.
In the US, Imtech Marine Group, a global top 5 player in the maritime technology market, is involved in the engineering of an ecological tour boat that sails on a combination of solar energy and sustainable electric propulsion. Together with Feadship (worldwide the leading designer and builder of luxury yachts) and MTU (one of the largest manufacturers of ships’ engines in the world), Imtech is working on a study of the options to realize ‘green’ luxury (mega) yachts. This study is supported by SenterNovem (an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs specializing in sustainability and innovation) and the Dutch research institutes TNO and MARIN. And finally, Imtech is responsible for the engineering and implementation of the electric propulsion on board the futuristic solar cell vessel PlanetSolar. On board this ship, thousands of photovoltaic cells will convert sunlight directly into electricity, which is used to drive a quiet and clean electric engine that handles propulsion. Final goal will be the first to circumnavigete the world, soleley powered by solar energy.