Energysail News

As part of its ongoing Aquarius Eco Ship Project, Eco Marine Power and Nakashima Propeller will explore the further use of carbo-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) for ship structures and other maritime applications.Eco Marine Power will also investigate the use of CFRP propellers to improve energy efficiency and reduce underwater noise created by ship propulsion systems.CFRP & GFRP are composite materials that can offer a versatile and efficient solution for a range of ship structures by providing a balance of strength…

A "major shipping company" based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Eco Marine Power Co., Ltd. (EMP) of Japan have agreed to undertake a joint Eco Ship technical study related to renewable energy solutions for ships including Aquarius Marine Solar Power, EnergySail and Aquarius MRE, according to EMP. The study will also include investigating innovative methods to improve energy efficiency onboard ships via the use of energy saving devices including propeller modifications and the use of more energy efficient electrical devices.Additionally…

While the maritime industry faces a long ‘to do’ list for the coming three decades, Hiroaki Sakashita, CEO, ClassNK, sees decarbonization as the definitive trend that will most dramatically impact the design, construction and life-cycle operation of ships.“It is decarbonization.”Hiroaki Sakashita, CEO, ClassNK, is definitive when asked to discuss the biggest challenge facing shipowners today. “Decarbonization will change the structure of seaborne trade, ships’ specification and design, ships’ operation, and the economic mechanism of maritime transportation.

Classification society ClassNK said it has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Eco Marine Power for the development of a renewable energy system for ships, Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy with EnergySail.New technologies are increasingly being introduced toward the goal of decarbonizing the global shipping industry in line with the IMO's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping and to phasing them out as soon as possible. The Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy with EnergySail system utilizes a combination of renewable energy…

Japanese technology company Eco Marine Power (EMP) has announced that the EnergySail, a sail-assisted propulsion and solar power device for ships, is ready for demonstration and evaluation testing in Japan.EnergySail, which is unveiled at the Onomichi Marine Tech Test Centre (MTTC) in Japan, is an upgrade of the pre-production unit and represents one of the smaller types of EnergySail that will be put into commercial service.It was manufactured by EMP’s strategic partner Teramoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. and will be used for demonstrations for potential customers and during preparations for sea trials.The patented EnergySail can be fitted…

Japan-based Eco Marine Power (EMP), a company develops and markets renewable energy based systems for ships and other vessels, has applauded the recently announced introduction of the Poseidon Principles – a global framework for assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of financial institutions’ shipping portfolios.EMP said that these principles will also have a strong emphasis on zero emissions and EMP’s renewable energy solutions and design concepts are ideally suited to meet this challenge.EMP’s Aquarius Marine Solar Power for example is available now and was recently installed on a large cargo ship. This solar power system…

In another significant move towards commercial release of the EnergySail, Eco Marine Power (EMP) announced that it has begun collaboration with ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) to confirm design requirements and issues related to sea trials.According to a press release from the renewable energy tech company, the goal is to pave the way to the full commercial production of the EnergySail and thus complete the preparation of technologies required for the release of EMP’s Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy or Aquarius MRE solution.The patented Aquarius MRE is an advanced integrated system of rigid sails, marine-grade solar panels, energy storage modules, charging system and marine computers that will enable ships to tap into renewable energy by harnessing the power provided by the wind and sun.

As part of the ongoing strategy to prepare its EnergySail and Aquarius MRE for commercial release, Eco Marine Power (EMP) unveiled further details of its automated control and monitoring systems. These will enable EMP’s technologies to integrate with existing ship-based systems. This will facilitate the seamless operation between EMP's renewable energy platforms with other equipment on ships including fuel flow meters.Three marine computer systems jointly developed with KEI System Ltd will be integrated to provide a robust…

Eco Marine Power (EMP) announce that it will exhibit for the first time a working prototype of its EnergySail technology and the automated control system at  Sea Japan in Tokyo. This laboratory prototype will be exhibited along with several associated technologies including an energy storage solution and flexible marine grade photovoltaic panels. The patented EnergySail is a rigid sail device developed by EMP that will allow ships to harness the power of the wind and sun in order to reduce fuel costs plus lower noxious gas and carbon emissions. The EnergySail is unlike any other sail and can be used even when a ship is at anchor or in port. EMP announced earlier this year that sea trials of its EnergySail technology will commence during 2018.

To further enhance its research capabilities Eco Marine Power announced today that it will begin using the Neural Network Console provided by Sony Network Communications Inc., as part of a strategy to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various ongoing ship related technology projects including the further development of the patented Aquarius MRE (Marine Renewable Energy) and EnergySail. The Neural Network Console is an integrated development environment using deep learning for AI creation and has been used in deep learning applied technology development within Sony since 2015. Various functions are included such as recognition technology and a full-fledged GUI (graphical user interface) and these allow for deep learning programs to be developed.

Eco Marine Power (EMP) has begun preparing for sea trials of its Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) solution in co-operation with strategic partners and ship owner Hisafuku Kisen K.K. of Onomichi, Japan. This preparatory work will lead to the world’s first installation of an integrated rigid sail and solar power system for ships using EMP’s patented technologies including the EnergySail. This is a major step forward towards a more sustainable future for shipping and is expected to result in the wider deployment of EMP’s solutions on ships ranging from coastal cargo vessels to bulk ore carriers and cruise ships. Currently underway is a feasibility study involving several large bulk carriers including the Belgrano, Nord Gemini and Bulk Chile.

In co-operation with several shipping companies and technology partners, Eco Marine Power (EMP)has begun a detailed study focused on the practical applications of its patented EnergySail and Aquarius MRE technologies. The study will cover the engineering aspects of installing an EnergySail or Aquarius MRE based solution on a variety of ships and the expected Fuel Oil Consumption (FOC) and CO2 savings that can be achieved in an operational environment. Energy storage options will also be studied including the possible use of fuel cells. Technology partners currently involved in the study with EMP include Teramoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. (Onomichi, Japan), KEI System Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan) and The Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd. (Yokohama, Japan).

The Japan Patent Office has granted a patent to Eco Marine Power (EMP) for its innovative EnergySail technology, an advanced rigid sail device that can be fitted with a range of renewable energy technologies such as solar panels or wind power devices. With the patent in place, EMP can now begin licensing the technology to proceed so that commercial production of the sail and associated technologies can begin in 2018. A unique renewable energy platform, EnergySail has been designed specifically…

In a step towards bringing renewable energy to shipping, Eco Marine Power (EMP) has been granted a United States Patent for technology related to its wind and solar power system for ships – Aquarius MRE. As a result, EMP now intends to explore joint development project opportunities in the United States and is currently considering a number of options. Technologies related to EMP's Aquarius MRE can be incorporated into existing ship designs such as cruise ships, RoRo vessels, large ferries, car carriers or into future design concepts such as the Aquarius Eco Ship.

Automated rigid sail set to bring back wind-assisted propulsion for shipping. Onomichi, Japan – 8th April 2016 – In another important step towards bringing its rigid sail technology onto ships Eco Marine Power (EMP) has commenced work on the production of an EnergySail in Onomichi, Japan. This first ever factory produced EnergySail is being manufactured by EMP's strategic partner - Teramoto Iron Works. The EnergySail (patent pending) is an automated rigid sail device that enables ships to utilize the power of the wind to reduce fuel consumption and lower vessel emissions. It can also be fitted with flexible marine-grade solar panels or other devices and used to charge batteries or the electrical power can be fed into EMP's Aquarius MAS + Solar solution.

Eco Marine Power’s (EMP) Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) System, a wind and solar power solution for ships, has been granted a patent in Japan, paving way for commercial production. The Aquarius MRE System is an integrated system of rigid sails, solar panels, energy storage modules and marine computer platforms that will enable ships to tap into renewable energy by harnessing the power provided by the wind and sun. The rigid sails that will be used by the Aquarius MRE System are based on EMP's EnergySail technology (Patent Pending).

Eco Marine Power (EMP) in cooperation with its strategic partner, Teramoto Iron Works Co. Ltd., have agreed to establish a development and test facility in Onomichi, Hiroshima, focused on marine technologies for the shipping and offshore industries. The new facility, to be known as the Onomichi Marine-Tech Test Center or Onomichi MTTC, will be co-located at the Teramoto Iron Works Chojahara Workshop. The center will include a large outdoor evaluation area that will allow for innovative devices such as EMP’s EnergySail to be tested.

Eco Marine Power is pleased to announce that it has been named as a finalist in two categories of the inaugural Ship Efficiency Awards 2014. The Ship Efficiency Awards 2014, hosted by Lloyd's Register and organised by Fathom, will recognise and celebrate the organisations and individuals within the maritime sector that excel in efficient operations, implement fresh thinking, offer proven efficiency benefits and technological innovation. Eco Marine Power has been short-listed in the Initiative of the Year category for the Blue Star Delos Renewable Energy Innovation Project and the One to Watch category for the Aquarius MRE System Project.

Pathway for commercial production of EnergySail and Aquarius MRE System established. Eco Marine Power (EMP) announced that it has taken another major step forward towards bringing its EnergySail and Aquarius MRE System technologies to the market by forming a strategic alliance with Teramoto Iron Works Co. Ltd. - a manufacturer of marine equipment located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The strategic alliance with Teramoto Iron Works will provide EMP access to a production base and testing center in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture - one of Japan’s most important shipbuilding areas.

Lightweight & flexible crystalline silicon cells for renewable energy solutions at sea. Eco Marine Power (EMP) is pleased announce that it will collaborate with Solbian Energie Alternative Srl of Italy to jointly develop applications for its solar cell technology across a variety of marine renewable energy projects for shipping including the Aquarius MRE System. Initially this co-operation will be centred around lab testing activities in Osaka, Japan, with the focus being on incorporating…

Eco Marine Power (EMP) to collaborate with Solbian Energie Alternative Srl of Italy to develop marine solar power applications. Initially this co-operation will be centred around lab testing activities in Osaka, Japan, with the focus being on incorporating Solbian's technology into EMP's EnergySail – a configurable rigid sail that is able to tap into the power of the wind & sun. However it is planned to expand the range of testing later this year to also include sea trials & apply Solbian technology to other projects such as the AquariusUSV and Aquarius Eco Ship.

Eco Marine Power (EMP) today revealed details of its Aquarius Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) and announced that it will begin work related to the construction of a prototype. The Aquarius USV is being developed as a cost-effective unmanned surface vessel (USV) and will incorporate a number of technologies from EMP and its strategic partners. These technologies include marine computer systems and lightweight flexible marine solar panels. The Aquarius USV will be powered by a solar-electric hybrid marine power solution which will also feature a solar panel array designed by EMP.

KEI System Ltd (KEI) and Eco Marine Power (EMP) have jointly established the Aquarius Innovation Lab in Osaka, Japan, which includes an indoor test centre plus an outdoor area for evaluating the performance of hardware such as solar panels, rigid sails & wind power devices. The Aquarius Innovation Lab will conduct research & design plus product development activities related to marine renewable energy systems and fuel saving technologies. Ongoing projects include the development of the Aquarius MRE System and EnergySail, both of which are to be tested in the facility.