Partially Solar-Powered Vessel Sets Out on Test Run

Copyright NYK Line

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and Nippon Oil Corporation announced on December 19, 2008, that they have co-developed a partly solar-powered automobile carrier, the "Auriga Leader." The same day, after a ceremony to start up 328 solar panels installed on her deck (total power generation of 40 kilowatts), she departed from the Port of Kobe. Constructed at its Kobe Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the 60,213 ton, 200 meter-long ship can carry up to 6,200 vehicles.

As an approach to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from marine transport, in August 2008, the companies agreed to work on developing a system which enables solar power to supplement the electricity used for ship. This marks the first attempt in the world to develop such technology for large vessels. The system covers up to 0.3 percent of total energy consumption and 6.9 percent of the electricity used for onboard living areas. Over the next two years, it will be connected to the system (440 volts) on an experimental basis.

The experiments include tests for durability and resistance of the solar battery module to harsh environments onboard the ship, such as salt damage, wind, mechanical vibration and swaying; data gathering both on the solar power generation and the onboard power system for developing a larger photovoltaic system best-suited for ships; and verification of CO2 reduction. Following those reviews, the companies plan to work toward practical use of the solar-powered vessel.

NYK Line official website
http://www.nyk.com/english/index.htm
NYK-Nippon Oil Joint Project : Using Solar Power for Ship Propulsion The World First Solar-Powered Ship Sails
http://www.nyk.com/english/release/31/
NE_090105.html

Posted: 2009/04/29 06:00:15 AM