Towing Kite Propulsion Equipped Cargo Ships

- out-performs traditionally powered  ships  - by more than Five Times!

German shipping company Wessels  orders three more Sky Sails-Systems

 Hamburg / Haren/Ems, 3 July 2008. The latest measurements made aboard the cargo ship “Michael A.“ demonstrate how the towing kite pro-pulsion system of the Hamburg-based company SkySails delivers far more than five times the performance per square meter of sail than tradi-tional wind propulsion systems. With the help of the wind, the 160 square meter kite generates up to 8 metric tons of tractive force – this approxi-mately corresponds to the power of an Airbus A318 turbine engine. De-pending on wind conditions, ships in the future shall be able to post fuel savings of between 10% and 35% using this auxiliary propulsion system. “Our own measurements show that we were able to temporarily save far more than half the fuel by deploying SkySails in favorable wind condi-tions,” reports Gerd Wessels (37), managing director of the Wessels shipping company based in Haren/Ems, adding that “alternatively we were able to increase the ship’s cruising speed from 10 to 11.6 knots with the help of this towing kite propulsion.” The innovative and environmen-tally sound wind-propulsion system retrofitted aboard the 90 meter long multipurpose cargo ship “Michael A.“ has been undergoing pilot testing in European waters since the end of 2007.

 SkySails, the Hamburg-based maker of the system, was able to compute potential average annual savings based on the findings of the pilot testing and an evaluation of the log books of 13 identically constructed ships that were also underway in European maritime waters: even in this region – which is known to have many areas of weak winds – savings of more than 15% can be achieved. “Wind is always cheaper than oil and in the light of oil prices going up every day and new emissions regulations, more and more shipping companies are convinced  of the performance capability of the SkySails propulsion,“ says SkySails inventor and com-pany founder Stephan Wrage (35). Even before the pilot testing phase on the “Michael A.“ has been completed, the Wessels shipping company has ordered additional SkySails-Systems for its next three new ships. “For us, an investment in SkySails propulsion is not just an investment in protect-ing the climate, but also an investment in the future of maritime shipping that will help us remain globally competitive in the future,“ is how Gerd Wessels explains his decision.

 Each of the shipping company’s new 88-meter, multipurpose sister ships with a deadweight capacity of some 3,700 metric tons and nearly 1,500 kW of power will be fitted with a 160 m² SkySails. With favorable wind conditions, a SkySails propulsion of this size can generate up to 8 tons of tractive power. For comparison: in order to reach a cruising speed of 11 knots, these ships require approx. 11 tons of thrust. All of the new ves-sels that the Wessels shipping company has ordered were financed through the Oltmann Group in Leer, which provided a major portion of SkySails’ seed money through private investors.

 Pilot testing of the SkySails-System designed to perfect the SkySails technology will continue aboard the cargo ships “Michael A.“ (Wessels) and “Beluga SkySails“ (Beluga Shipping) until early 2009. The practical operations of the two freighters initially focus on calibration work and technical modifications to stabilize the towing kite propulsion. The second half of the pilot phase will then concentrate on extending the flight times and optimizing the system’s performance. SkySails will begin series pro-duction of the towing kite system once this pilot testing is completed.

 Another result of the pilot testing so far was the addition of a sea-state compensator within the SkySails-System, which allows the towing kite to be launched even under difficult weather conditions. “After installing the sea-state compensator we can now deploy the SkySails-System more regularly than was the case at the start of the pilot testing phase and thus also extend the flight times,” says SkySails company founder Stephan Wrage.  

Some 60,000 of the worldwide approximately 100,000 existing ships are suited for retrofitting with SkySails propulsion. With SkySails technology employed systematically throughout the world, it would be possible to save over 150 million tons of climate-damaging CO2 emissions every year.

Lessons in Love

A new range of wooden jigsaw puzzles from manufacturer and online retailer Just Jigsaws, encourage primary aged children to understand and talk about their feelings.

The Shared Emotions range of puzzles include pictures depicting feelings of happy, sad, friendly and sleepy and help children reflect and explore feelings as part of a literature class or in Circle Time, by describing what is happing in the pictures and share their own personal experiences too.

 Emotional Literacy is recognized by the DfES in the Primary National Strategy and is based on teaching children five emotional skills: self-awareness, managing emotions, empathy, motivation and communication. These skills are taught through a cross-curricular approach.

 Just Jigsaws have been producing a fantastic range of wooden puzzles and jigsaws for children for over 35 years. Their products offer great educational and play value as well as making excellent children’s gifts. All jigsaws are designed and made in the UK from sustainable wood sources and are hand cut and hand finished which means each puzzle is unique. It also means there are no razor sharp edges to the jigsaws and so completely safe for even the youngest children. What’s more, all their products are tested annually to meet European Toy Safety Standards.

 Just Jigsaws have a range of over 150 different wooden puzzles and jigsaws available to buy online at www.justjigsaws.co.uk.  Prices start at £5.95 plus £4.95 postage and packing which is free on orders over £35.

NEW REVERSING CAMERA DESIGNED TO GET DRIVERS OUT OF A TIGHT SPOT

With car park bumps and prangs leaving British drivers with a staggering £90m repair bill in the last 12 months*, a new reversing camera from Maplin could be the perfect solution for motorists who get into a tight spot when parking.

The Wireless Colour Reversing Camera, from electronics retailer, Maplin, can be mounted on the dashboard, or suction-secured on to a windscreen, air vent or sun visor. A great device to assist when parking at home, it gives safety and peace of mind when reversing near where children are playing.

With a 90° wide-angle lens this useful gadget offers superb visibility, so you don’t have to worry when reversing into a difficult space, or attempting dreaded parallel parking. This clever piece of kit also automatically switches to black and white display, making it perfect for use on dark evenings.

Powered by a 12V cigarette lighter plug the camera can be installed effortlessly – simply unscrew the rear number plate and it securely clips on.

Its 3.5inch monitor includes an A/V input socket and cable for DVD or video games input, so the kids can be kept entertained. The device also includes a USB charging socket for powering iPods, mobile phones, sat nav systems and MP3 players. It comes complete with all the fixings and hardware that are required for installation.

The new Wireless Colour Reversing Camera (product code: A30HN) is available from Maplin for £129.99 at its network of over 145 stores across the UK and Ireland . Shoppers can also buy online at www.maplin.co.uk  or call 0870 429 6000 to purchase via mail order from the Maplin catalogue.
 

Apple Introduces the New iPhone 3G

Twice as Fast at Half the Price
 

SAN FRANCISCO — June 9th, 2008

Apple today introduced the new iPhone 3G, combining all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK. In the US the new iPhone 3G is priced at a stunning $199 for the 8GB model, and just $299 for the 16GB model.** iPhone 3G will be available in more than 70 countries later this year, beginning with customer availability in 22 countries — Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US — on July 11th.

“Just one year after launching the iPhone, we’re launching the new iPhone 3G that is twice as fast at half the price”, said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone 3G supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync right out of the box, runs the incredible third party apps created with the iPhone SDK, and will be available in more than 70 countries around the world this year”.

iPhone 3G gives users ever faster access to the Internet and email over their cellular network with quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA for voice and data connectivity around the world. iPhone 3G supports Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks and automatically switches between them to ensure the fastest possible download speeds. The new iPhone 3G also makes it easier to multi-task with simultaneous voice and data communications, so with iPhone 3G you can browse the web, get map directions, or check your email while you are on a call.

iPhone 3G includes the new iPhone 2.0 software with both the iPhone SDK and key enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide over-the-air push email, contact and calendar syncing as well as remote wipe and Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to corporate networks. The iPhone SDK allows developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch user interface, animation technology, accelerometer and GPS technology on the world’s most advanced mobile platform.

iPhone 3G includes the new App Store, providing iPhone users with native applications in a variety of categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it is accessible from just about anywhere, so you can purchase and download applications wirelessly and start using them instantly. Some applications are even free and the App Store notifies you when application updates are available. The App Store will be available in 62 countries at launch.

Additional features available with the iPhone 2.0 software include the ability to do real-time mapping and track your progress with GPS technology, mass move and delete multiple email messages, search for contacts, access a new scientific calculator, turn on parental control restrictions for specified content, save images directly from a web page or email them to your iPhone and easily transfer them back to your photo library on your Mac or PC. iPhone 3G delivers an amazing 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G, with up to 5 to 6 hours of web browsing, up to 7 hours for video playback and up to 24 hours for audio playback.

iPhone 3G takes advantage of MobileMe, a new Internet service that pushes email, contacts, and calendars from an online “cloud” to native applications on iPhone, iPod touch, Macs and PCs. With MobileMe email, messages are pushed instantly to iPhone, removing the need to manually check email and wait for downloads, and push keeps contacts and calendars continuously up-to-date so changes made on one device are automatically updated on other devices. With iPhone, you can even snap a photo and post it directly to a MobileMe Gallery to share with friends and family.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 3G will be available in the UK on July 11th. Further details about pricing and rate plans will be announced at a later date.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

*Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds vary by site conditions.
**Based on iPhone 3G (8GB) and first generation iPhone (8GB) purchases. Requires new two year AT&T rate plan, sold separately.

 

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Copyright © 2008 Oxford Prospect Magazine
Last modified: 07/06/08