Solar and wind power comes to ships

After making it successfully to uncountable fields, solar and wind energy usage is also being integrated in ship sails for the first time.

As a part of project ‘Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy’, a Japanese renewable energy systems company Eco Marine Power (EMP) introduced world’s first solar energy sails called EnergySails, through which ships would be able to use both solar and wind energy at the same time. These sails will initially be put to tests by next year.

The company believes that this project will allow ships to move forward to renewable energy through harnessing the power provided by wind and sun. Made of carbon fiber or steel, the EnergySails stand straight on a rotating pole on the ship’s deck. The panels are used to boost power that is supplied by auxiliary generators and can be stored during harsh weathers for protection. The sails will also gather and store energy while they are docked, reported New Atlas.

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Currently, the company is conducting a feasibility study in order to approximate the amount of propulsion the sails could provide to each ship in the fleet, and also to check how much solar power will be provided by each shipping route.

When the ship completes its initial tests, one ship from the fleet will be chosen for a trial of 12 to 18 months next year. The ship would consist of range of EnergySails, solar panels on deck, and hardware to supervise and manage every part of the system, reported Futurism.

The company also asserts that this project will lessen up fuel consumption, air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, and lower fuels costs in future.