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The Japanese technology firm Eco Marine Power has launched a feasibility study into the installation of its zero-emission power and propulsion system onto an LR2 tanker. The system is known as Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy (Aquarius MRE) and it aims to enable ships to tap into renewable energy by harnessing the power provided by the wind and sun. It incorporates an array of automated rigid sails, marine-grade solar panels, energy storage modules, charging equipment and computer systems. The array of rigid sails are automatically positioned by a computer system to best suit the prevailing weather conditions and can be lowered and stored when not in use or in bad weather. The study is being undertaken in co-operation with the unnamed shipowner and will investigate how various technologies can reduce fuel consumption and emissions on-board the vessel, the company said. The study will look into the potential installation locations for marine-grade solar panel and frames, an energy-storage system, an automated alarm and monitoring system as well as the fitting of EnergySail’s onto the ship. Modeling of the expected fuel consumption and emission reductions will also be investigated during the study combined with Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling of airflow around the ship. EMP is also investigating which marine-grade solar panels would be the most suitable for the project and the feasibility of adding further equipment including low power LED lighting and other power-saving devices. Japanese companies Teramoto Iron Works, The Furukawa Battery Company, KEI System and Fuji Trading are also involved in the study at this stage.(credits: www.offshore-energy.biz)