Renewable Energy Solutions for Zero Emission Shipping
From small powered pleasure craft and ferries to large super-tankers, the limitless energy of the wind and sun can be used in order to help power ships thereby reducing fuel consumption, the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and noxious exhaust emissions.
Using a variety of Technologies including the patented Aquarius MRE, Eco Marine Power (EMP) is working with ship owners, shipping lines, ship managers and shipyards on solutions for new or existing vessels that will help these ships take advantage of the latest technologies to harness the power of renewable energy.
Some ideal applications for the use of wind and solar power include cruise boats, tourist catamarans, fishing vessels, offshore support vessels, survey ships, oil tankers, cargo ships, RoRo ships, patrol vessels and passenger ferries.
Not only do the renewable energy systems developed by EMP reduce fuel consumption but they can also effectively increase the operating range of vessels - ideal for coastguard, research and survey ships for example.
Aquarius MRE (Marine Renewable Energy) and other technologies being developed by EMP will help drive shipping towards a greener future and contribute to the global reduction of harmful gas emissions from the world's shipping fleets.
EMP technologies will play an important role in assisting shipyards meet energy efficiency design index (EEDI) requirements and ship owners comply with pollution reduction regulations.
Marine Solar Power Systems
Marine solar power systems can be installed on large ships such as car carriers, bulkers, passenger ferries and oil tankers plus on smaller ships such as commuter ferries, river boats and recreational vessels..
An EMP integrated marine solar power system, known as Aquarius Marine Solar Power or Aquarius MSP, includes a reliable computer management and monitoring system known as the Aquarius Management & Automation System (MAS), a high performance battery pack, MPPT charge controllers and marine-grade solar panels. This integrated system can be used to provide either DC or AC power to a ship or vessel.The Aquarius MAS is a cost effective alarm handling, performance monitoring and data logging platform suitable for a wide range of ships. The system is based upon the type approved KEI-64S Data Logger.
EMP can also provide a turn-key service including system design & installation along with our technical support partners. For more information please see: Aquarius MAS + Marine Solar Power
Wind Power with Rigid Sails - Sail Assisted Propulsion
EMP's patented EnergySail technology allows ship to harness the power via a computer controlled rigid sail or rigid sail array. Typically an EnergySail array would be incorporated into an Aquaris MRE solution but the installation of an EnergySail as a stand-alone device is also possible.
EnergySailAn EnergySail can also include marine grade solar panels either on the sail itself located near the sail. The flexible nature of the EnergySail design will also allow for it to be upgraded during the life-cycle of the ship it is fitted to so that newer technologies can be incorporated as they become available such as more efficient solar modules or panels.
Other technologies can also be fitted to the EnergySail including wind power generating devices.
In addition to being suitable for ocean-going ships including RoRo vessels, cruise ships and large passenger ferries, several variations of the EnergySail are being developed which will be suitable for smaller vessels including Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV's) and Autonomous ships and vessels.
Technologies associated with the EnergySail are also suitable for offshore renewable energy projects and land-based renewable energy projects.
An example of how the EnergySail could be incorporated into a modern ship design is the Aquarius Eco Ship. This low emission and sail or wind assisted propulsion ship design includes an EnergySail array and other technologies so that solar & wind power can be used to reduce fuel consumption and lower noxious gas emissions.
Aquarius Eco Ship - Pathway to Zero Emission Shipping
The Aquarius Eco Ship is an ongoing design project focused on bringing a range of technologies together to allow ships to reduce fuel oil consumption (FOC) and emissions including C02. Key technologies incorporated into the design include EMP's Aquarius MAS, Aquarius MRE and EnergySail.
A ship fitted with Aquarius MRE such as a passenger ferry, pure truck and car carrier (PCTC) cruise ship, bulk carrier, survey vessel or tanker will be able to tap into the limitless power of the wind and sun. These "hybrid powered" ships will use wind and solar power together as a source of energy and propulsion (along with the ship's main engines) in order to reduce harmful emissions and lower fuel consumption.
An on-board solar power array can either mounted on the sails or on deck areas of the vessel (or both). The solar panel array(s) will in turn charge batteries or the power can be fed into the DC or AC power distribution system. The energy stored in the batteries could also be a useful source of emergency or back-up power. For a typical system hybrid battery technology from the Furukawa Battery Company of Japan will be used.
Aquarius MRE® and EnergySail® are registered trademarks of Eco Marine Power Co.Ltd. Aquarius MAS and Aquarius Eco Ship are trademarks of Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd.
