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Nissan has unveiled a new energy-efficient cargo ship for carrying its cars around the world. The Nichioh Maru features solar panels for powering the ships LED lighting system, a low-friction coating on the hull and an electronically-controlled diesel engine that optimizes fuel consumption. Compared to a conventional car carrier of its size, the Nichioh Maru will save 1,400 tons of fuel and prevent the emission of 4,200 tons of CO2 each year.
The Nichioh Maru is the first Japanese cargo ship to be outfitted with solar panels. The ship's deck is covered by 281 panels for powering the LED lights through the hold and crew quarters, eliminating the need for a diesel-fueled generator. The ship began its first voyage on January 27 and will begin carrying as many as 1,380 cars along the Japanese coast to Oppama Wharf, Kobe and Kyushu.
This isn't Nissan's first foray into energy-efficient car carriers. It also uses The City of St. Petersburg ship to transport its LEAF vehicles around Europe. That cargo ship is designed to reduce fuel use by 800 tons and cut CO2 emissions by 2,500 tons per year compared to carriers of its size.
via Nissan Hits: 9545
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written by Jeff Birks, February 03, 2012
That's impressive fuel savings, but I can't help wondering the costs and material requirements for keeping the panels clean.
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written by Fencerdave, February 05, 2012
The problem here is salt water. Panels on land are very easy to keep clean, but everything on the boat gets salty.
I don't know how much of an issue that would cost or be an issue, but it is worth thinking about.
I don't know how much of an issue that would cost or be an issue, but it is worth thinking about.
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written by sailrick, February 06, 2012
Skysails makes parasails for ships that can cut fuel costs by 10%-30% and even more under the right conditions. They can produce 6,500 horsepower.
And they are relatively cheap, at about $250,000 for the system, that can be retrofitted to existing ships.
When you consider that Cape size bulk carriers were leasing for up to $125,000 a day before the recession, it doesn't seem like much.
Another company called Kiteship is also in this business, though I don't think they've done kites big enough for ships yet.
Megayacht builders have shown interest.
And they are relatively cheap, at about $250,000 for the system, that can be retrofitted to existing ships.
When you consider that Cape size bulk carriers were leasing for up to $125,000 a day before the recession, it doesn't seem like much.
Another company called Kiteship is also in this business, though I don't think they've done kites big enough for ships yet.
Megayacht builders have shown interest.
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written by Jeff Birks, February 06, 2012
Another complication is aligning the cells. On land cells are positioned to optimize energy collection, and in some cases they track the movement of the sun. On the ocean there may be a degree of rolling that lowers efficiency (that said on a boat this size it wouldn't be a problem under normal conditions).
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written by Collin Bell, February 06, 2012
This is awesome that Nissan has taken this initiative, but from working at a power plant myself, it makes me wonder how cost effective this type of design is, because the sad truth is that companies will not implement technologies like this unless the market drives it.
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written by Ronald Brak, February 06, 2012
I'll just put in my 1.88 Australin cents on a few points that have been raised:
With regards to keeping them clean, generally just rain is relied upon to clean solar panels.
Corrosion is certainly a problem at sea, but the ship builders have no doubt accounted for this. One of the first commerical appliations of solar cells on earth was on ocean bouys, so there has been a fair bit of experience with this sort of thing.
Solar panels are definitely cost effective, as the energy they generate would otherwise come from oil which is quite expensive. I imagine this is why small solar panel systems are now quite common on cargo ships.
With regards to keeping them clean, generally just rain is relied upon to clean solar panels.
Corrosion is certainly a problem at sea, but the ship builders have no doubt accounted for this. One of the first commerical appliations of solar cells on earth was on ocean bouys, so there has been a fair bit of experience with this sort of thing.
Solar panels are definitely cost effective, as the energy they generate would otherwise come from oil which is quite expensive. I imagine this is why small solar panel systems are now quite common on cargo ships.
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written by Matt, February 09, 2012
This is a case where two would be even better then one.
1) The solar panels for lights pays off because much they are much cheaper than running a generator. Plus cleaner air both at sea and in port.
2) Sails are making a big comeback, double so on long distance trips (say Japan to US or Europe).
Now which one "pays off" first. They both have a fast payback in this case. My guess is (2) is a bit faster, but (1) has the extra good will of not adding to air pollution while in port.
1) The solar panels for lights pays off because much they are much cheaper than running a generator. Plus cleaner air both at sea and in port.
2) Sails are making a big comeback, double so on long distance trips (say Japan to US or Europe).
Now which one "pays off" first. They both have a fast payback in this case. My guess is (2) is a bit faster, but (1) has the extra good will of not adding to air pollution while in port.
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