First Public Display of Sustainable Shipping Technologies & Concepts
Eco Marine Power (EMP) recently showcased a number of technologies and concepts it is working on at Sea Japan 2014 which was held at Tokyo Big Sight between 9th-11th April. This was the first time EMP publicly displayed the Aquarius Eco Ship concept, EnergySail, EnergySail ACS and Aquarius MRE System.
The major focus of the EMP presentation & display at Sea Japan was the Aquarius Eco Ship and a model of this design concept made its debut at the event.
The Aquarius Eco Ship is EMP's vision of how various renewable energy technologies can be combined via the Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) System and then integrated into the design of a modern ship.
The Aquarius Eco Ship is not science fiction nor are the technologies it incorporates just ideas. All of the major components of the Aquarius MRE System are either currently being tested in the Aquarius Innovation Lab in Osaka, Japan, or are commercially available such as the flexible marine grade solar panels and KEI 3240 computer system.
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EMP Display at Sea Japan 2014 |
Also on display was the EnergySail Automated Control System (ACS). This innovative computer control system is used to automate the operation of EMP's EnergySail (patent pending) technology.
The EnergySail ACS allows for an EnergySail or an array of EnergySail's to be automatically positioned on-board a ship to best suit the prevailing weather conditions and operational profile of a vessel.
The EnergySail ACS and an EnergySail prototype are currently being tested in the Aquarius Innovation Lab and preparations are also being made to ready these technologies for sea trials which are due to commence during 2014.
In co-operation with KEI System of Osaka, the Aquarius Management & Automation System (MAS) was also displayed at Sea Japan 2014. The Aquarius MAS is a reliable computer management system for shipping which can monitor fuel consumption, calculate emissions and manage renewable energy sources. It can also be expanded to include other functions such as alarm handling, engine performance logging and on-board systems monitoring.
The Aquarius MAS hardware and software are based upon the KE 3240 computer platform which has proven itself on hundreds of ships in commercial operation today.
A major strength of the Aquarius MAS is its flexibility in that ship owners can first install a compact Aquarius MAS package, and then later expand the system or add functions as required. It is also unique in that the system can be integrated as part of a larger Aquarius MRE System solution.At Sea Japan 2014 - 'Environmental Protection' was a key theme and it was clear from the interest shown in EMP's technologies and other displays at the event that the trend towards greener shipping is gathering momentum.
EMP's display was kindly made possible with the support of the Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association (JSMEA).
For further information please see: EMP Technologies EMP Products & Services Aquarius MAS
Please note: Aquarius MRE System, Aquarius MAS and EnergySail are trademarks of Eco Marine Power.