Our Way 2/22 1
OCEANBIRD TEXT SOFIA LUNDGREN PHOTO SAMUEL UNÉUS,
KARIN RÖSE OCEANBIRD IN A ZERO CITY T he vision of the exhibition, which will run until 2024, is for visitors to be inspired and rethink smart and sustainable solutions for transport and mobility. Since vessels from the Oceanbird concept will use wind power as the main energy source and use aerodynamics to significantly reduce emissions from vessels, it is a perfect fit for Zero City, being both sustainable and innovative. Also displayed are self-propelled pods, smaller electric vehicles and bicycles, as well as electricpowered vans and other aids to enable improved movement around the city in a smooth, fossil-free way. “We wanted to showcase good examples, concrete solutions that are new and not that well known. Oceanbird is a great example, since it’s not sci-fi, but a concept that really exists and will be launched in a few years,” says Lars Paulsson. A vessel sailing into Zero City Oceanbird is visualised as a vessel coming out of the wall from the main hall. Additional screens show “the deck” and the wing sails from above, as well as the full size of the vessel. There is also an interactive station where visitors can make vehicles move using wind from fans. The Oceanbird installation opened in February 2022, together with Zero City, and according to Lars, it has been a success. It’s now expanding with another 800 square metres of space, allowing visitors an even better view of Oceanbird. “It is a powerful installation, one that makes an impression – it piques interest and inspires,” Lars says. “At first, some think it’s impossible for Oceanbird to actually work, with its ‘wings’, sailing against the wind, but both children and adult visitors enjoy 8 OUR WAY 2/2022 SPREADS ITS WINGS Zero City is the name and theme of a fossil-free cityof-the-future exhibition at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm. An important part of the Zero City exhibition is Oceanbird. “It is a powerful installation, one that makes an impression – it piques interest and inspires,” says curator Lars Paulsson. OCEANBIRD IN SHORT Oceanbird is a concept for wind-powered vessels. The whole concept, wing sails, a specially designed hull and speed/route recommendations, can reduce emissions from vessels by up to 90%. The aim is to sail the first Oceanbird vessel in 2026. finding out for themselves how it works, with the help of the interactive table we have built.” Lars Paulsson Curator, The National Museum of Science & Technology Next generation of innovators When offered a chance to participate in Zero city, AlfaWall Niclas Dahl Managing Director, AlfaWall Oceanbird Oceanbird naturally accepted. “One of our main goals as a company is to drive the transition towards truly sustainable shipping,” says Niclas Dahl, Managing Director of AlfaWall Oceanbird. “Therefore, it is important to reach out to the next generation of innovators. We want to give them hope by showing that even these giant cargo vessels can be powered by renewable energy.” Carl Fagergren from Wallenius Marine and Emil Kotz, representing AlfaWall Oceanbird, enjoying the exhibition.