The Aquarius Eco Ship concept design is the result of a comprehensive study project which focused on optimising the design of a large ocean going ship such as a bulk carrier or oil tanker to harness the power of the wind & sun by using Aquarius MRE. This study was started by Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd (EMP) in May 2011 and has attracted world-wide interest.

The centre piece of the Aquarius Eco Ship is the Aquarius MRE (Marine Renewable Energy) – an innovative and patented fuel saving and emission reduction system that incorporates a variety of elements including solar panels, energy storage modules, a computer control systems and an advanced rigid sail design.

Low Emission, Wind Assisted Shipping with Solar Power

The Aquarius Eco Ship is a low emission & green shipping focused solution which has been designed to be highly flexible and configurable so that the concept can be applied to most ship sizes and types. Applications for the system include bulkers, oil tankers, survey ships, passenger ferries, cruise ships, Ro-Ro ships, car carriers & even unmanned surface vessels.

In addition to Aquarius MRE, a future Aquarius Eco Ship would be fitted with other fuel saving measures such as an advanced electrical propulsion system, air lubrication, an optimised hull design and waste heat recovery technologies. Fuel cell technology could also be incorporated into the design.

This combination of technologies could lead to fuel savings of 40% or more and also dramatically reduce the emission of noxious gases such as Sulphur Oxides (SOx) & Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). In addition the use of renewable energy would reduce the vessels carbon footprint.

An Aquarius Eco Ship could include up to 1 MWp of solar power and enough energy storage modules so that the ship would not need to use auxiliary diesel generators whilst in port. This would enable the ship to operate emissions free when alongside. The energy storage modules could be charged via the solar panels, by the ships main generators or from shore power when available.

Both the Aquarius Eco Ship and Aquarius MRE have been designed to take into account the reality of operating rigid sails on ocean going ships and include a range of safety features. The rigid sails for example can be lowered and stored when not in use or during emergencies.

EnergySail Technology – Wind Power & Solar Power for Ships

The rigid sails used by the Aquarius Eco Ship form part of Eco Marine Power’s patented EnergySail technology. This renewable energy sail platform allows for a variety of energy sources to be used and managed via the same system. Solar panels & wind power devices can be mounted on the rigid sails or elsewhere on the ship in a variety of configurations.

The revolutionary Aquarius MRE technology will enable ships of all types and sizes to safely use renewable energy in order to reduce fuel consumption and lower harmful emissions in a cost effective way. The Aquarius Eco Ship is an example of how this system could be integrated into a new ship design although it is also suitable for existing ship designs and could be retro-fitted to vessels already in service.

The Aquarius Eco Ship is another example of how Eco Marine Power is developing designs to move shipping towards a more sustainable future.

Design Concept: Greg Atkinson. Eco Marine Power. All rights reserved. Aquarius Eco Ship. Copyright © 2012. Eco Marine Power.

Further Information

For additional images & video please see: Aquarius Eco Ship Media Downloads and visit our Aquarius MRE System webpage.

Aquarius MRE and EnergySail are registered trademarks of Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd.