Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...

Transportations Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Volume 2
Program, which serves as a clearinghouse for information on environmentally beneficial
practices, and offers public relations “branding” for those companies with notable
environmental performance. Increased fuel costs over time should provide greater
incentives for the introduction of these technologies.
Future Technologies
Overview
In addition to conventional propulsion system improvements, fuel consumption for larger
vessels can be reduced by using wind and solar power. Windpower options include
wing-shaped sails made from composite materials (i.e., wing sails) (Cousteau Society,
2003), large kites attached to the bow of the ship (SkySail, 2008), and rotary sails (actually
wind turbines) (Enercon, 2009). These have been tested on cargo ships and tankers up to
160 meters in length (SkySail, 2008; Hansen, 2008; USCG, 2009). Currently, wind powered
options are being studied by the Technical University of Berlin for different sail types,
vessel types, operating speeds and routes.
Flettner rotors (Figure 3.12) are large vertical devices that use the wind to spin rotors to
generate electricity, which is either stored in batteries or used directly for propulsion
(MarineBuzz.com, 2008). Enercon, a
German wind technology company, has
recently launched a large vessel equipped
with Flettner rotors, which will be put into
service in 2009 (Enercon, 2009).
Solar panels capable of generating several
kilowatts of electricity have been used for
years on large vessels to provide power for
the crew’s living quarters. Photovoltaic
technologies are now being scaled up in
pilot studies commissioned by major
Figure 3.12
shipping companies as a way to reduce
fuel consumption and GHG emissions
associated with propulsion systems. For
example, 328 solar panels, each capable of
generating 40 kilowatts of electricity, were
recently placed on top of a 60,000 tonne car
carrier used by Toyota Motor Corp (NYK
Flettner Rotors
Line, 2009; Okada, 2008). Hybrid
solar/wind systems that use aluminum
sails covered with photovoltaic panels Figure 3.13 Solar Wings
have been applied to small ferry
operations in Sidney, Australia since 2000 and currently are being considered by San
Francisco’s Alcatraz Ferry Service and San Diego’s Harbor Ferry Service (SolarSailor,
2008). In October 2008, China’s COSCO marine transport company commissioned work
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