ClassNK has given an approval in principle to Eco Marine’s Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy solution. It concerns an advanced integrated system of rigid sails, marine-grade solar panels, energy storage modules, charging system and marine computers that allow the ship to generate its own renewable energy.
The array of rigid sails are automatically positioned by a computer system to best suit the prevailing weather conditions and can be lowered and stored when not in use or during bad weather. The rigid sails are based on Eco Marine’s EnergySail technology and these renewable energy devices can even be used when a ship is at anchor or in port. Each EnergySail can be configured with a mix of sensors, photovoltaic panels or other power generation devices.
Included in the scope of the AiP certification from ClassNK are: the EnergySail, a rigid sail type wind-assisted propulsion system that includes the sail structure, driving system and automated control system and Aquarius Marine Solar Power, an energy management system to utilise solar power that includes photovoltaic (PV) modules, batteries, electrical system and control system.
Also read: Wind assisted ship propulsion puts the sail back into sailing
