5 year study conducted on-board ships, in test lab & at outdoor evaluation area
Fukuoka, Japan – 16th July 2018 – After an extensive study project, Eco Marine Power (EMP) has today released some of the key findings related to the use of solar power on ships and the selection and installation of related equipment. This study was carried out over a 5 year period and included: installation of a trial system on the high speed RoRo Ferry Blue Star Delos, several ship surveys, computer-aided analysis, plus evaluation of various equipment in a test lab and also at an outdoor evaluation area. The overall system design used as a basis for the study was EMP's Aquarius Marine Solar Power. This system incorporates class-approved hardware and is able to provide a stable and reliable source of emissions-free power on-board ships or it could be used as an emergency back-up power system. The study covered a range of topics including system design, system performance, installation methods, hardware selection and a review of marine-grade photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
Aquarius Marine Solar Power - System Overview
Prototype version of Ship PV Module and Frame Kit at Onomichi MTTC
Some key findings resulting from the study included:
The type of PV module best suited for a ship-based project may vary depending on a number of factors including the location where the modules will be installed. In some cases PV modules of differing types and/or technologies may be required in different locations.
Careful attention needs to be focused on the way the PV modules are installed and mounted. For best results specially designed marine-grade frames suitable for use on ships should be used.
High quality valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery technologies are suitable for ship-based solar projects. These batteries are cost effective and require very little ongoing maintenance.
The installation methods suggested by the PV module manufactures may not be suitable for ships, and customization of the PV module may be required in certain cases.
A class approved monitoring system should be included with any ship-based solar power system.
A solar power system on a ship combined with DC loads such as lighting can be an effective way to reduce system cost, lower power losses & simplify the overall system design.
Based on these and other findings resulting from the study, EMP has taken a number of actions including product improvements, with some key highlights being:
Customized high quality PV module and frame kits have been developed. Several types are available with each type modified if required to suit a particular ship type or application.
VRLA hybrid battery packs using class-approved batteries have been released in co-operation with The Furukawa Battery Company. These battery packs include easy to assemble battery frame kits that simplify the installation process and reduce costs.
The PV modules & mounting frames customization process has been refined and will now be carried out mainly in Onomichi, Japan, in co-operation with Teramoto Iron Works.
Additional alarm & performance monitoring features have been added to the Aquarius Management & Automation System or Aquarius MAS.
EMP will initiate a certification process for selected PV modules based on the review of specifications, testing & the evaluation of their performance.
Commenting on the completion of the study, Greg Atkinson, Chief Technology Officer at Eco Marine Power said, "We have gained many valuable insights into the design, installation and use of solar power on ships during the last 5 years. These insights have been used to refine our system design and product offerings and we are now in the process of deploying commercial systems."
EMP will also expand the range of technologies being evaluated at the Onomichi MTTCand will work with selected manufacturers of PV modules and solar panels to further optimise them for ship and marine use. For more information about these and other activities please visit EMP's Research & Development webpage.
Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd. (EMP) is an internationally focused technology company that develops renewable energy based fuel saving and emission reduction solutions for ships including passenger ferries, survey ships, oil tankers and cargo vessels. These technologies include the EnergySail®, Aquarius MASTM and Aquarius MRE®. EMP also develops sustainable ship concepts that incorporate the latest renewable energy technologies and is currently working on a number of design projects including Aquarius Eco Ship and Aquarius Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV). The company is based in Fukuoka, Japan.
Companies will bring to the group innovative technologies related to improving ship energy efficiency.
Fukuoka, Japan – 16th August 2023 – Eco Marine Power is pleased to announce that two further Japanese companies: NITTOSEIKO CO., LTD. (NittoSeiko) and SUNFLAME.CO., LTD. (Sunflame) – have joined the Aquarius Innovation Forum and bring with them innovative technologies related to improving energy efficiency onboard ships, systems automation & digital solutions for ship data performance management.
NittoSeiko ...
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New innovative sail device can be used as a modification for rigid sails or used as a stand-alone energy saving device.
Fukuoka, Japan – 27th June 2023 – After several years of research & development (R&D) Eco Marine Power (EMP) announced today that it has developed a new type of sail device for ships. This sail device known as a SailetTM (patent pending) can increase the propulsive forces created by EMP’s patented EnergySail® and can also be used as a stand-alone sail-assisted propulsion or energy saving ...
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Fukuoka, Japan – 14th February 2023 – A major shipping company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Eco Marine Power Co., Ltd. (EMP) of Japan have agreed to undertake a joint Eco Ship technical study related to renewable energy solutions for ships including Aquarius Marine Solar Power, EnergySail® and Aquarius MRE®. The study will also include in...
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ClassNK approved marine batteries to be used for ship solar power system & back-up applications.
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Ship design incorporates renewable energy solutions, electric propulsion & fuel cells.
Fukuoka, Japan – 27th April 2022 – As part of an ongoing zero emission ship design project Eco Marine Power has released details of a new Handymax bulker that incorporates a range of renewable energy solutions, energy saving devices, electric propulsion and fuel cells. This ship design concept is known as the Aquarius Eco Handymax II and all the technologies currently encompassed in the design are either currently available ...
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Further companies join the Aquarius Innovation Forum to discuss energy efficient, power saving and zero emission technologies for shipping.
Fukuoka, Japan – 12th January 2022 – To further facilitate the exchange of ideas between ship owners, ship managers and technology providers, Eco Marine Power has renamed and expanded the maritime technology discussion group it formed in February 2021. This expanded group is now known as the Aquarius Innovation Forum and brings together twelve companies ranging from ship owner...
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ClassNK approval for the Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy solution will lead to commercialization of complete system.
Fukuoka, Japan – 26th May 2021 – In a significant step towards the realization of a zero-emission power and propulsion solution for shipping, Eco Marine Power is pleased to announced that it has recently received Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK of Japan (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) for its Renewable Energy System for Ships - “Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy with EnergySail”.
Aquarius Marine Ren...
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Fukuoka, Japan – 17th May 2021 – As part of its ongoing rollout of zero emission power and propulsion solutions for shipping, Eco Marine Power Co., Ltd. (EMP) announced today that it has begun to cooperate with F-WAVE Company Limited (F-WAVE) to jointly develop innovative Ship Integrated Photovoltaic (SIPV) solutions. These solar power solutions will ut...
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Shipping, maritime & technology experts to discuss energy saving, emission reduction and decarbonisation solutions.
Fukuoka, Japan – 2nd February 2021 – Eco Marine Power (EMP) announced today that a number of shipping, maritime & technology professionals from several innovation-focused companies have agreed to join the Eco Marine Power Research Institute Advisory Group. This group will focus on the exchange of ideas and solutions related to energy transition and shipping, plus help guide further research i...
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Use of new high performance class-approved computer system will enable new features to be included into various zero emission solutions for ship & offshore applications.
Fukuoka, Japan – 21st January 2021 - As part of its ongoing product development program Eco Marine Power Co., Ltd. (EMP) announced today that it will incorporate the KEI-64S marine computer system into its zero emission solutions for shipping and offshore applications plus utilise the system architecture for other systems. These solutions incl...
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Thursday, 21 January 2021 10:15
Hybrid marine power solutions including solar power save fuel, reduce pollution and are cost effective. Eco Marine Power is at the forefront of developing low emission & fuel saving solutions for ships, Our computer systems also provide a control interface between renewable energy & other systems on-board ships.
Eco Marine Power is at the forefront of providing innovative marine renewable energy technologies for shipping that harness the power of the sun & wind. These solutions include Aquarius MRE, EnergySail & Aquarius Marine Solar Power. These reduce fuel consumption, lower noxious gas emissions and deliver cost benefits.
Aquarius Management & Automation System or Aquarius MAS is a cost effective alarm handling, monitoring & data logging platform suitable for a wide range of ships. The system is based upon the reliable KEI 3240 Data Logger and is class approved. Aquarius MAS can also monitor fuel use & calculate vessel emissions.
Our design & consulting services include green ship & eco ship concept designs, renewable energy surveys, renewable energy systems design & consulting support for new ship and retrofit projects. We work with ship owners, ship managers and ship yards to develop the right renewable energy solution for their needs.