Japan-based Eco Marine Power (EMP) has unveiled a new concept of ship design featuring its aquarius marine renewable energy (MRE) system which allows a ship to harness solar power and wind power.
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Aquarius MRE system is a fuel saving and emission reduction technology that includes a variety of elements such as solar panels, energy storage modules, a computer control system and an advanced rigid sail design.
EMP said the new concept design is the result of a study project to optimise the design of a large ocean going ship such as a bulk carrier or oil tanker as part of the company’s ongoing development effort to move shipping towards a more sustainable future.
The new concept has been designed to be highly flexible and configurable so it can installed on a variety of ship sizes and types including bulk carriers, oil tankers, survey ships, passenger ferries and even unmanned surface vessels.
Apart from the aquarius MRE system, the Aquarius Eco Ship could also be fitted with other fuel saving measures such as an advanced electrical propulsion system, an optimised hull design and waste heat recovery technologies.
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By GlobalDataEMP said combining these technologies could result in a more than 40% fuel saving and reduction in the emission of harmful gases such as sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (Nox), as well as a reduction in vessels’ carbon footprints.
The new concept design could include solar panels for a 1MWp solar system or larger, plus enough energy storage modules, which can be charged via the solar panels or by the ships main generators, so that the vessel would not need to use auxiliary diesel generators while in port.
Both the technologies have been designed to take into account the reality of operating rigid sails on ocean going ships and include specially developed safety features.
The company is now planning to work with a shipyard or shipping firm in order to further develop the new concept and also several new design concepts.
In order to produce a commercial version of the new system, the company will also trial the aquarius MRE system and is seeking to co-operate with additional development partners and strategic investors for the development.
Image: EMP’s new concept of ship design featuring its aquarius MRE system which allows a ship to harness solar power and wind power. Photo: ecomarinepower.
