Sail replaces energy storage device

Can a rigid sail be used as a solar energy harvester?

The Japanese firm Eco Marine Power introduced a patented rigid sail that doubled as as solar energy harvester back in 2011. Somewhere over the years, EMP separated the sails and the solar panels, which can be installed individually or as an integrated system.

Can solar energy be used as a power source in a ship?

New energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy and fuel cells have already been introduced into ship power system. Solar energy can now be used as the main power source to propel small-scale ships, and as an auxiliary power source in large-scale ships to supply lighting, communication devices and navigation system.

How does a ship power system work?

If the ship main grid does not need much power, diesel generators can be switched off and electric devices will be powered by the ship microgrid. In this case, the ship is wholly propelled by electricity, while the diesel generator is a backup in emergencies. Fig. 22. Structure of the ship power system integrated with new energy sources. 5.2.2.

Can new energy sources be integrated into traditional ship power systems?

The integration of new energy sources into traditional ship power systems has enormous potential to bring the shipping industry in line with international regulatory requirements and is set to become a key focus of ship-related researches in the immediate future. 1. Introduction

How can a multi-source energy system improve ship power generation?

Using a multi-source energy system allows to optimize and improve ship power generation. While the combination of alternative energy sources increases the capital expenditures, thanks to the ability to reach higher efficiencies the operational expenditures decreases. Fig. 1.

What is the EnergySail?

The EnergySail is an ideal wind assisted or sail assisted propulsion solution. A variation of the EnergySail that is suitable for Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV's) and smaller ships such as passenger ferries or fishing vessels is also being developed. The EnergySail can be configured to suit the operational profile of a vessel.