Elogrid™ by Wärtsilä – unique solution for tunnel thrusters

Elogrid by Wärtsilä is a solution for a vessel's tunnel thrusters (also called transverse thrusters). It is optimised and customised to add thrust force and save fuel in transit mode.

The solution includes:

• Wärtsilä transverse / tunnel thruster
• Customised Elogrid steel grid for the tunnel
• Installation instructions for the shipyard  
• CFD-based optimisation of the solution customised for the vessel.

How does Elogrid by Wärtsilä work?

At the core of this solution are the Wärtsilä tunnel thruster and the customised steel grid installed to the end of the thruster’s tunnel.

The customised grid solves the big problem associated with a conventional grid. Like any grid, it will save fuel in transit mode, but the ship will not suffer a loss of thrust force. On the contrary, this special grid will increase the thrust!

Elogrid by Wärtsilä will save fuel when the ship is in transit mode and improve its maneuvering and position-keeping capabilities because the grid is customised. Customisation takes into account the following:

• Inlet flow to propeller
• Compact waterjet on the pressure side of the propeller
• The grid's flow resistance in transit mode
• The structural stiffness of the grid
• The shape of the ship’s hull
• Thruster’s properties
• The operational profile of the vessel.
  

Customisation takes advantage of advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics tools  and decades of experience to identify and specify the optimal solution for your ship. That is why Elogrid by Wärtsilä can deliver such amazing benefits.

• The solution saves you fuel because the customised grid reduces the vessel’s sailing resistance.
• Because the vessel uses less fuel, its GHG emissions are lower. This can bring further savings, thanks to lower taxes or penalties.
• The customised grid can improve thrust performance instead of decreasing it like conventional grids do.
• The solution optimises the inflow for the propeller, which can reduce the propeller torque fluctuation significantly.
• As a result, the solution reduces vibration and noise, which improves passenger comfort.
  

Who can benefit from Elogrid by Wärtsilä?

Any vessel with large tunnel thrusters (transverse thrusters) can benefit from the Elogrid by Wärtsilä solution, and it can be implemented in newbuild ships and as a retrofit. Because the greatest savings incur during transit mode, the following types of vessels can achieve fastest payback time:

• Cruise ships
• RoPax vessels
• Ferries
• Offshore vessels
• Container vessels.

Operational efficiency and better CII

The Elogrid by Wärtsilä solution can bring significant OPEX savings. It will also improve the Carbon Intensity Index (CII) of the vessel. Therefore, it is a great choice for ship owners who seek to achieve the best energy efficiency and vessel performance – and are willing to invest in it. 

Why choose this solution from Wärtsilä

The unique combination is thanks to the cooperation between Elomatic and Wärtsilä and the synergy between the Elogrid^TM solution and Wärtsilä’s thruster expertise. 

The patented design has gone through extensive testing, and it is proven to work and deliver amazing results.

Would you like to reap the benefits from this solution – OPEX savings and better vessel performance? Contact us and let us evaluate how much improvement the solution could bring for your vessel.