HANSA 10-2017

Schiffstechnik | Ship Technology
»Aquarius« clears a major hurdle
Eco Marine Power (EMP) promotes its renewable energy project »Aquarius« for several
years now. However, now founder Greg Atkinson sees a major hurdle being cleared,
expecting first sea trials of a rigid sail and solar power system during next year
Until now, the project was presented at
several occasions. Scepticism about
this quite futuristic looking technology
predominated in the industry. Nonetheless
Atkinson did not tire to underline the
potentials and capabilities.
Not surprisingly he is very satisfied to
speak about a recent development: Fukuoka-based
EMP announced
that it has begun preparing for
sea trials of its Aquarius Marine
Renewable Energy (MRE) solution
in co-operation with strategic
partners and ship owner
Hisafuku Kisen K.K. of Onomichi,
Japan. EMP revealed
that this preparatory work will
lead to what it calls »the world’s
first installation of an integrated
rigid sail and solar power
system for ships using EMP’s
patented technologies including
the EnergySail«. Atkinson expects
the trials to result in the wider deployment
of EMP’s solutions on ships ranging
from coastal cargo vessels to bulk ore
carriers and cruise ships.
Currently underway is a feasibility
study involving several large bulk carriers
including the »Belgrano«, »Nord
Gemini« and »Bulk Chile«. For each ship
an estimate of the propulsive power that
could be provided by an EnergySail array
will be prepared according to the routes
they operate on. In addition the total
amount of solar power that could be installed
on each vessel will be determined.
On-board testing & data collection will
also be undertaken as required.
»The full commercial system will be ready
around 2020 so sometime after that we would
expect the first ship to be operating with
Aquarius MRE fitted.«
Greg Atkinson
Director and Founder
Eco Marine Power
According to the plan after the feasibility
study is completed, one ship will be selected
for the sea trials phase. During this
phase a trial configuration that will incorporate
all the elements of Aquarius MRE
will be installed and evaluated during a
period of approximately 12 to 18 months.
Aquarius MRE is an integrated system
of rigid sails, marine-grade solar panels,
energy storage modules and marine computers.
The use of these alternative sources
of power and propulsion will reduce
fuel consumption, lower air pollution and
cut CO2 emissions. The rigid sails used by
Aquarius MRE are based on EMP’s EnergySail
technology. These renewable energy
devices can even be used when a ship is
at anchor or in harbour. Each
EnergySail can be configured
with a mix of sensors, photovoltaic
panels or other power
generation devices.
Asked, when he expects the
first vessel sailing his system
in regular service, Atkinson
tells HANSA, »the full commercial
system will be ready
around 2020 so sometime after
that we would expect the
first ship to be operating with
Aquarius MRE fitted.«
A number of strategic partners are involved
in the Aquarius MRE Project including
KEI System, Furukawa Battery
Company and Teramoto Iron Works.
EMP is also in discussions with se veral
companies including potential investors
about their possible involvement
in the project. »In addition to investors,
we are seeking technical partners that
EMPs founder Greg Atkinson is still optimistic
to get his Aquarius project realized
For »Belgrano« a feasibility study is undertaken
Source: EMP
56 HANSA International Maritime Journal – 154. Jahrgang – 2017 – Nr. 10