| Title | This Electric Cruise Ship Will Use Three Giant Retractable Solar Panels to Power It at Sea | |
| Date | Saturday June 10, @12:31AM | |
| Author | hubie | |
| Topic | ||
| from the exciting-and-new dept. | ||
Meet the most energy-efficient electric, solar cruise ship:
On Wednesday, Norwegian cruise line company Hurtigruten revealed plans for a first-of-its-kind zero-emission ship. The electric-powered cruise ship will feature retractable sails with solar panels to harness energy from the wind and sun while storing it in powerful batteries.
Although only 0.1% of Hurtigruten Norway's ships currently use zero-emission technology, the company is planning a drastic overhaul.
Its first concept, "Sea Zero," is expected to be the world's most energy-efficient cruise ship. The company initially revealed the project last March as part of its ambition to become a leader in sustainable travel.
Its first electric cruise ship, due out in 2030, will combine 60 MWh battery packs with several industry firsts to harness wind and solar while at sea for a truly zero-emission experience.
For example, the company plans to include three retractable, autonomous sails with added solar panels. The wing rigs are designed to enhance aerodynamics, pulling in air currents at up to 50 meters for added propulsion.
Hurtigruten says that during the summer, the ship "will be superpowered by northern Norway's midnight sun that shines for 24 hours a day."
The three retractable wings will comprise 1500 m² (16,146 ft²) of solar panels with a total wind surface of 750 m² (8,073 ft²).
Renewable energy from the sails or the charging port is stored in the ship's giant 60 MWh battery storage system. There's even an indicator on the side of the vessel to show the battery level. The company says it's looking for cobalt-free battery chemistries with minimal nickel to keep costs down.
[...] To reduce underwater drag, the two thrusters at the stern will retract into the hull while cruising. Meanwhile, the company is developing an underwater air lubrication system to allow the electric ship to "surf" on a carpet of bubbles.
[...] The electric solar-powered cruise ship concept is 443 feet long and is set to host 500 passengers across 270 cabins.
Sea Zero is still in its early stages of research and development as the Norwegian cruise line gears up for its launch by 2030. Over the next two years, the company will test and develop the proposed technology as it works toward a final design.
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printed from SoylentNews, This Electric Cruise Ship Will Use Three Giant Retractable Solar Panels to Power It at Sea on 2023-06-30 05:38:46