14 votes

Electric ships are slowly starting to make sense

6 comments

  1. [6]
    turnipostrophe
    Link
    Society is beginning to build solar powered ships. This will replace oil ships. Therefore, no emissions. One day, maybe we will even create wind powered ships. Useful technology? Or hopium? Please...

    Society is beginning to build solar powered ships. This will replace oil ships. Therefore, no emissions.

    One day, maybe we will even create wind powered ships.

    Useful technology? Or hopium? Please discuss.

    16 votes
    1. [5]
      mild_takes
      Link Parent
      Lol. But actually they're currently putting different kinds of sail/blades or kites on freight ships right now.

      One day, maybe we will even create wind powered ships.

      Lol.

      But actually they're currently putting different kinds of sail/blades or kites on freight ships right now.

      17 votes
      1. [2]
        Jasontherand
        Link Parent
        Ya. They are doing solar powered boats and ferries, not really ships. As the video discusses, a solar powered freighter would never really work. The solution that was come up with to have battery...

        Ya. They are doing solar powered boats and ferries, not really ships.
        As the video discusses, a solar powered freighter would never really work. The solution that was come up with to have battery packs in the shipping container to plug in I think is genius though.

        7 votes
        1. turnipostrophe
          Link Parent
          I wonder if there is a way to add a modular layer of solar panels on top of the topmost layer of containers at the port, and use that to reduce the amount of batteries required. Like a "blanket,"...

          I wonder if there is a way to add a modular layer of solar panels on top of the topmost layer of containers at the port, and use that to reduce the amount of batteries required. Like a "blanket," a single rectangle of already-connected solar panels that the cranes would lower as though they were containers, with one easy connection to the battery system.

          The problem with battery packs in the shipping containers is that they take up so much space. Maybe this would reduce the number of batteries required and make it more economical to have a green ship.

          1 vote
      2. [2]
        Johz
        Link Parent
        I managed (by chance) to see the new Orient Express sail-powered cruise liner the other day. Then I looked at the prices online, and wow, that is not an experience I will have any time soon, but...

        I managed (by chance) to see the new Orient Express sail-powered cruise liner the other day. Then I looked at the prices online, and wow, that is not an experience I will have any time soon, but it's exciting to see that sort of thing happen.

        That said, the impression I get is that most of these approaches are sail-assisted rather than fully sail-powered, in that the sails are used to reduce how much work the engines need to do rather than completely eliminate them. But I guess for a long journey that's still going to be a significant reduction in energy consumption.

        4 votes
        1. glesica
          Link Parent
          I would imagine that the benefit is also a bit less for cruise ships because there are so many things other than the engines that need power?

          I would imagine that the benefit is also a bit less for cruise ships because there are so many things other than the engines that need power?

          3 votes