Mitsui OSK Lines of Japan has announced the success of a world-first demonstration with a MOL-owned experimental vessel, which was equipped with a Metro Weather Doppler LIDAR.
Doppler LIDAR systems can measure wind directly occurring around a vessel, by using a harmless infra-red laser that detects floating particles in the atmosphere, and wind forces can then be visualised. The feature gives “more accurate” advantages than weather forecasts from satellites, the company says.
Additionally, the system can measure wind from “miles away”, which the company adds would boost safe navigation.
In the MOL experiment, the company equipped a small yacht – powered by wind and hydrogen – and which successfully measured wind conditions in real-time in three dimensions within 15 kilometres while underway.
“Doppler LIDAR… is expected to improve the quality of safe operation by accurately predicting wind conditions and play a role in supporting optimal navigation of ships using wind energy, such as [the] ‘Wind Challenger Project‘, [the] ‘Wind Hunter Project‘ and [the] ‘Wind Power Energy Business‘,” the company said.
It added that MOL has decided to invest in Metro Weather through its wholly-owned corporate venture capital company, “MOL Plus”.
