Japanese firms to build solar-powered car ship
While much of the focus of carbon dioxide reduction has been placed on ground transport, it only accounts for about 20 percent of those emissions. At least as much is spewed during ocean-going shipping, and it presents another place to reduce the amount of CO2 in the air. To that end, Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen is collaborating with Nippon Oil to develop a solar array to be mounted on a car-carrying ship. The ship is normally powered by a diesel electric system like a locomotive. Diesel engines drive generators that power electric motors. The 40 kW solar array is expected to reduce the fuel consumption of the ship by about 6.5 percent and CO2 emissions by about 1-2 percent. While solar systems have been used to power auxiliary systems on big ships, this will be the first major use for propulsion. The durability of the solar system in the salty sea air will be one of the major issues to overcome. The ship which will be completed at the end of this year will be used to transport Toyotas from Japan.[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 9:36AM (8/29/2008)
Hmm.... how might we be able to harness wind energy on a boat? Surely someone can invent a device to use wind as a propulsion aid.
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Mike 10:58AM (8/29/2008)
I really like this story...check out these giant sails. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18292644
Throw some solar on as well, like Nippon Yusen is doing and you will start to see some considerable savings.
Next, we need to figure out a way to open the bow of the boat and harness the energy of the water that the boat is moving through without disturbing the natural environment. Then you will have air, sun and water powering these behemoths.
SteveCT 5:42PM (8/29/2008)
"Hmm.... how might we be able to harness wind energy on a boat? Surely someone can invent a device to use wind as a propulsion aid."
You're serious? Wind energy on a boat? Like a...sail?
Perhaps you haven't heard, but that was a bit, um, slow.
There's also this:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/kite-power-ships.php
So people are definitely working on wind power for ships. Not that we haven't already done that for centuries.
Chris M 6:29PM (8/29/2008)
There is, of course, the old fasioned sails, or the more modern "upright wing" designs, but best of all is a steerable giant kite design that can reach stronger winds at higher altitude, thus getting even better performance.
Marc V 11:50AM (8/29/2008)
Do you realize that the picture with this story is from about 1993? Anyway good luck with the solar Toyota.
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