The world’s first solar energy sails will soon be built and tested by the year 2019. This new technology will enable ships to be able to use solar and wind energy at the same time.
Source: Futurism
The new ship is called EnergySails, and was developed by the Japanese renewable energy systems company Eco Marine Power (EMP) as part of a greater project which is Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy. EMP is working with other strategi partners and Japanese ship owner Hisafuku Kisen K.K to equip bulk carrier ships with the technology which is an “advanced integrated system of rigid sails, marine-grade solar panels, energy storage modules, and marine computers,” according to EMP. EMP said that its project will enable ships to tap into renewable energy by harnessing the power of the wind and sun.
The EnergySails themselves will also be helping ships to collect and store energy even while it is docked. According to New Atlas, the sails which are made of carbon fiber or steel, can also be stored during rough weather conditions.
One of the candidate ships for the Aquarius MRE System Source: New Atlas
EMP is currently conducting feasibility tests on multiple ships in Hisafuku Kisen’s fleet. They hope to estimate how much propulsion an EnergySail system can give the ships while also taking into consideration how much solar power the on-board panels would receive on each individual ship’s route.
After the testing is done, one ship from the fleet will be chosen for a 12 to 18 month trial. The ship that is selected will be fitted with an array of EnergySails, solar panels on deck and the hardware that is necessary to monitor and control every part of the system.
According to EMP, the Aquarius project can reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Vessels that are going to use the technology would join other ships that are aware of climate change.
However, it is not sure yet what Hisafuku Kisen’s EnergySail-equipped ships will be hauling.
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