Every day, Anicet Mbida makes us discover an innovation that could well change the way we consume.
This Wednesday, he is interested in an invention by the French startup Blue Fins to reduce fuel consumption by 30%, a boat fin.
The innovation of the day is a rather original means of propulsion.
After rowing, sailing and motor boats, we will soon see fin boats.
A long tail fin at the back like that of dolphins.
This is called biomimicry.
A principle that I love: when technology comes to be inspired by nature.
Advantage of this fin, it is totally passive.
There is no need for a motor to operate it.
It is simply the pitching of the swell and the energy of the waves, which will make it beat like a diver's fins.
And what happens when there are no waves?
We are no longer moving!
Like when there is no wind.
This is why it will be used above all as a complementary means of propulsion, in particular on large ships (liners, tankers, etc.).
You should know that today they run on heavy fuel oil.
An extremely polluting fuel.
We remember the health problems that there were in Marseille recently.
Pressure was therefore put on the naval sector to halve its emissions.
This is why we are looking for complementary modes of propulsion, which save fuel and are easy to adapt to existing ships.
Because it is not tomorrow that we will have electric liners.
This fin is a French innovation, from the startup Blue Fins, designed in partnership with Ifremer, the famous research institute.
How tall would she be on a tanker?
It must be huge.
Yes, but everything is relative.
On a 300-meter boat, for example, it will be 25 meters long.
That's a lot, but only 10% of the total size.
Fortunately, it will be retractable when we arrive at the port.
Or quite simply, when there is no swell, since it would end up slowing the boat.
First ships equipped in 2023.