Free fuel for life

Ship & Boat International eNews: March/April 2021

A mixture of solar, wind and battery power will grant unlimited range to Tillberg Design of Sweden’s (TDoS’) proposed ultra-eco-friendly superyacht, Aegir 2.0. The concept is an enhanced, wind-powered version of TDoS' previous superyacht Aegir, launched in 2019.

"The most noticeable difference to Aegir is the change of rig system to a DynaRig," Daniel Nerhagen, TDoS partner and yacht director, tells Ship & Boat International. "It’s more effective and easier to operate compared to a conventional ketch-style rig." The DynaRig concept is, in his opinion, one "whose time has come". The trimaran hull, meanwhile, was selected to prevent heeling and to maximise stability. Additionally, this hullform enabled TDoS to maximise the available deck space, giving Aegir 2.0 a look more akin to a modern, motorised vessel than a traditional sailing yacht.

Aegir 2.0 will primarily reduce her environmental footprint through the use of onboard hydronic heating systems and a hybrid wind-electric propulsion system, designed to gift the yacht a "virtually infinite range", free of smoke, emissions and noise, Nerhagen says. The propulsion system will feature "adjustable propeller blades and an electric engine with a battery pack – similar to the system used on Black Pearl", he adds – referring to the 106.7m sailing yacht built by Oceanco in 2017, and one of the vessels that has helped to 'break the mould' in challenging perceptions of how a sailing yacht should look.

"When the yacht sails, the propeller will be used to regenerate electricity and charge the batteries, and handle the load for normal operation," Nerhagen elaborates. Additionally, wind turbines integrated into Aegir 2.0's masts will help the yacht to meet its hotel requirements when at anchor.

TDoS chose the DynaRig for Aegir 2.0 in order to enable "high average speeds in ocean conditions with less heel under sail than conventional rigs", Nerhagen says. "Its performance is matched by its efficiency and economic and environmental savings, while harnessing wind power to reduce fuel costs to almost zero." The DynaRig concept was developed in the 1960s by Wilhelm Prölß, an engineer who sought an alternative form of propulsion to fuel oil. Manufacture of the rig has since been taken up by companies such as Southern Spars and Magma Structures, following a gap of several decades – simply due to the fact that, for some time, there was no access to suitable composite materials to construct the masts.

What's interesting about Aegir 2.0’s Dacron sails is that a solar panel system will be incorporated into the fabric – which, along with solar panels installed on the yacht's roof, will convert the sun's rays into a free and clean 'fuel'.  "The controller for the entire ship's rig consists of a single panel operated by one person," says Nerhagen. "The sails are trimmed by automation. All sails can be set in seven minutes, and all tacking can be completed within 90 seconds.

"The sail area is subdivided into smaller, lesser-loaded sails and they can be set or furled by pushing a button. The carbon masts are free-standing, the curved yards being attached rigidly to the masts. To adjust the angle of the sails, the entire mast rotates in place. When fully deployed, the sails on each mast have no gaps between them, creating a single panel to capture the wind."  On pure wind power, Aegir 2.0 will be able to maintain a speed of 20knots.

Two tender garages are located aft. Each boasts 35m³ of storage space and has a maximum height clearance of 2.4m. "This area could be increased if desired," Nerhagen says. He suggests that the current configuration could hold, for instance: one Triton 1650/3 submarine (approximately 3.2m in length); four jet skis; a 6m electric tender limo; two RIBs for the crew; three kayaks; and diving gear. The yacht’s forward section also has storage space for a tender, or rescue RIB, beneath a hatch.

Nerhagen adds: "When the yacht is safely at anchor or in port, the transom marina garage door can be opened, creating an additional 25m² outdoor area close to the water, granting access to the ocean for water sports, tender launches and day activities."

TECHNICAL PARTICULARS

Aegir 2.0