New Ship With Rigid Solar Sails Harnesses the Power of Sun and Wind at the Same Time

[rangerrebew]

New Ship With Rigid Solar Sails Harnesses the Power of Sun and Wind at the Same Time
 

In 2019 the world’s first solar energy sails will be put to the test. Called EnergySails, the technology should enable ships to use both solar and wind energy at the same time.

The sails were developed by Japanese renewable energy systems company Eco Marine Power (EMP) as part of a larger project known as Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy. EMP is working on alongside other strategic partners and Japanese ship owner Hisafuku Kisen K.K to equip bulk carrier ships with the technology that, according to EMP, is an “advanced integrated system of rigid sails, marine-grade solar panels, energy storage modules, and marine computers.” EMP said the its project will enable ships to tap into renewable energy by harnessing the power provided by the wind and sun.

https://futurism.com/new-ship-rigid-solar-sails-harnesses-power-sun-wind-same-time/

[thackney]

http://www.ecomarinepower.com/en/home

[truth_seeker]

Impressive. Couple that with the latest battery technology

Design the solar panels and batteries to be removable for still later technology

[GtHawk]

My memory isn't what it used to be, but I'm pretty sure this is just an update of a radical new idea(when it was proposes) of ships with rigid turbine sails that were going to harvest the power of the wind to both propel the ship and generate electricity to power the electric motors.

[Joe Wooten]

My memory isn't what it used to be, but I'm pretty sure this is just an update of a radical new idea(when it was proposes) of ships with rigid turbine sails that were going to harvest the power of the wind to both propel the ship and generate electricity to power the electric motors.

And that one did not work that well either. It was much more expensive to operate than a diesel or steam powered ship.

[driftdiver]

That doesn't seem to be enough sail to move a ship that large very fast.  Which also means the solar panels aren't going to generate enough electricity to move a ship that size.

[Fishrrman]

How are those panels going to hold up in heavy seas, or if the ship hits a hurricane or typhoon?