NYK Super Eco Ship – Solar Cells, Sails and Fuel Cells

November 28, 2009 · Filed Under Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships 

nyk_super_eco_2030In September, we posted about the successful  installation of solar cells on the upper deck of NYK’s car carrier Auriga Leader. It is clear however that NYK is looking well beyond a few solar cells.

NYK has recently won the Japan Good Design Award 09 for its concept design, the Super Eco Ship 2030, a container ship which features solar cells, retractable sails, and LNG fuel cell propulsion, in addition to a range of other advanced features.   It is intended to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 70%.  NYK’s site calls it “not a joke, not a toy, not only a dream.”  Regardless of  how practical any of its features may prove to be, it is a fascinating  design study.

NYK Super Eco Ship 2030

The ship design features 31,000 m2 of solar cells  with a peak capacity of 91 MW as well as 4,000 m2 retractable sails.  (For comparison purposes, the clipper ship Cutty Sark had a sail area of approximately 3,000 m2) Main propulsion is provided by modular LNG fuel cells supported by  superconducting cable between the fuel cell and electric motors.  Frictional resistance is reduced by the use of an air bubble curtain on the hull.  Independent container handling of the below deck and on-deck containers is intended to cut cargo handling time by 50%.

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Comments

2 Responses to “NYK Super Eco Ship – Solar Cells, Sails and Fuel Cells”

  1. Steven Toby on November 29th, 2009 8:18 am

    The artist’s concept shows, contrary to the claims in the interviews from management, that at least one of the innovative design ideas is not well thought out. The sails are concentrated well aft of amidships, while the conventional modern underbody shown, with bulbous bow, will have a center of effort forward of amidships. There is no obvious provision for overcoming the strong weather helm such a geometry must inevitably produce (a super-sized rudder would be the simplest, although not an efficient, fix).

    It’s easier to be innovative when you aren’t constrained by practicality.

  2. Rick on November 29th, 2009 9:31 am

    Your point is well taken, though wouldn’t be too hard to fix. The feature I find most worrisome is the ability to separate the midship section from the bow and stern sections, which could then be rejoined. The structural issues would be intriguing. It also isn’t clear to me how the solar panel sections, which cover the weather deck containers, could be removed and replaced quickly for cargo handling.

    An intriguing design study nevertheless.

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