Within the framework of the REFEST project, Milestone 8, led by BlueNav partners, has been successfully achieved, marking an important step forward in the validation of innovative and energy-efficient propulsion solutions. This milestone reflects the project’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable maritime technologies and reducing environmental impact through cutting-edge engineering developments.
As part of Milestone 8, BlueNav successfully validated the propulsive efficiency of its RIM DRIVE prototype through a series of controlled tests conducted in a test pool. The evaluation was based on the 15 kW Bluespin motor in its latest configuration, combining bollard pull measurements with CFD open water and bollard pull calculations. The tests demonstrated that the system achieved a propulsive efficiency of 72.2%, surpassing the project target of 70% and confirming the technical maturity of the RIM DRIVE architecture. These results provide a validated efficiency baseline for the system and directly support BlueNav’s commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions through a more energy-efficient propulsion solution.
The successful achievement of Milestone 8 by the partner BlueNav represents a significant technical accomplishment for the REFEST consortium. By exceeding the targeted performance benchmarks, these results reinforce the project’s trajectory towards delivering reliable, high-efficiency propulsion systems, contributing to the broader objective of decarbonising the maritime sector.