Propulsion whiz

Future Propulsion System

azipod propeller

Imagine a world with zero pollution. Imagine a world without bad emission. Imagine a world with greener technology which can save our mother Earth. Technology that could change the meaning of life in every aspect of living that we may not ever thought of before. This is the future of our world. To change the contaminated world toward a better one. As to achieve the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) goal to cut off the carbon dioxide emission from vessels to 50% in 2050, big changes must be done to set this ambitious to reality. The question is, what could we change and contribute for a better future in the ecosystem aspect.

As a deck cadet of the future international navigating officer, I have been thinking all over the semester on how we could create a new technology which is eco-friendly in our carrier especially for the global trade by ship that I will someday and soon work onboard. This innovation ideas sparked on me even more when I was brainstorming my Maritime English assignment title with my tech-whiz colleagues. We choose the propulsion system as our assignment title because I strongly believe that to achieve low carbon dioxide emission from vessels, we must start from the propulsion system. We been discussing about the concept of the propulsion system on ship from the history aspect to the innovation.

In 19th century, international shipping transitioned from sail to steam propulsion and in 20th century from coal to oil. As result of the need to eliminate greenhouse gas emission from the ship, the industry is now on the brink of a "Fourth Propulsion Revolution", possibly using a combination of hydrogen, ammonia and batteries that powered from renewable energy sources around us.

illustration of ferdinand magellan ship

As we know the ships in past centuries use the wind to move their ship. Our ancestors had benefit the wind to push their sail as result of massive trade that we living right now. If we travel in time to the early age of mankind, they move their raft with oars by mean of paddle. Whatever the use to propel their vessels are all past. The most important thing is what we use right now and what will we innovate in future in term of ship propulsion.

css virginia

During renaissance age, seafarers sail with ship propelled by steam turbine system. It a giant leap for water transportation in our mankind that make they able to sail even further. However, the steam system also a cause a huge impact to the world due to the combustion of coal that emit carbon dioxide to the air. As result the air pollution became a massive issue during that time. This proved by history occasion that took place in London during 1852 where the great smog occurs because of actively coals burning. The phenomenon not only affect the visibility but also cause health issues.

royal caribbean oasis class engine

As the time pass, the shipping world has changed to diesel propulsion system which is more efficient combustion and still being used in common vessels right now. Then come electric-diesel propulsion that even more efficient. Some vessels adapt the radioactive principle which as result of nuclear propulsion system. This kind of propulsion are widely built for ice-breaker and military vessels. From here I realise that we could utilise the knowledge of alternative energy that we learnt in science textbook during primary school.

main idea for innovation is efficient

With the keyword of “Alternative energy”, why don’t we create an eco-friendly propulsion system with the benefit of our existed energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and bio-fuel? It may sound bizarre and likely impossible to create. But think carefully, as we now in 2020 there are electric cars on road like Tesla car, there are electric scooters ride by everyone. Those ideas are opposed in the past, but look with deep research and constant passion, they found the solution that become key of future living.

I strongly stand with this innovation idea with the keyword of “Efficient”. A word that comprise all the creative thinking that we need in every single work in our life.

Let take a general look on those new propulsion systems:

WIND PROPULSION

wind-assisted propulsion

Wind propulsion in modern ship patent started by Shin Aitoku Maru, Japanese ship in 1980. She reported in 10-30% reduction of fuel consumption which also mean reduction of CO² emission. The concept was similar as the old sail ship, however there were numerous engineering and operational challenges that made the concept is not reliable for modern merchant ship. Another idea is wind-assisted propulsion, redeveloped by the Wärtsilä and Norsepower company using the Flettner Rotor apply Magnus Effect. When wind blows, the Magnus Effect creates a forward thrust. This 1920’s concept proved for 7-10% reduction of fuel consumption by Maersk Pelican. Other than that, the kite propulsion, the concept similar as the sail but in form of paraglider, as kite need strong wind to operate, therefore it not an efficient concept so far. Example of ship using this propulsion is the MS Beluga Skyglider.

FUEL-CELL PROPULSION

hydrogen as fuel

"Thermoelectric Generation" generate electricity through heat. The fuel-cell work as a battery that generate electric through electro-chemical process known as Photon-Exchange-Membrane (PEM) that can provide power from 100 kW to 1MW or more. As the fuel-cell can generate electricity, therefore it could distribute substantial energy to power vessel accommodations such as galley, cabins, lighting, air conditioning, vessel instrumentation, emergency systems, and other onboard systems.

SOLAR PROPULSION

Prototype by Eco Marine Power

Solar propulsion gains power source from photovoltaic cell on the solar panel. The electric power then will generate power for the engine to propel the ship. Currently, the Eco Marine Power company develop the Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy that combine solar and wind propulsion together. They set a rigid sail on vessel upper deck with solar panel on the sail. The idea work for any vessel as to pursue for low emission solution.

NUCLEAR PROPULSION

nuclear propulsion principle

Nuclear propulsion usually uses by warship include naval submarine and ice-breaker ship which require greater propelling power. The first vessel to adapt nuclear propulsion is the Lenin Ice-Breaker, 1959. The mechanism similar as the boiler but heated by nuclear-fission in the reactor. It requires less space but in drawback need specified nuclear engineer to commission it thus the operational cost may higher to adapt in conventional merchant vessel.

BIO-DIESEL PROPULSION

Biodiesel propulsion has been deemed as a potential marine propulsion system for the future as it can be combined with conventional diesel propulsion system. Also known as "Green-Diesel". Some modifications need to be done on some engine gear to adapt this system. There are 4 labels of bio-diesel according to blend percentage: 

•B100: 100% biodiesel is referred to as B100

•B20: 20% biodiesel, 80% petrodiesel

•B5: 5% biodiesel, 95% petrodiesel

•B2: 2% biodiesel, 98% petrodiesel

ALL ELECTRIC PROPULSION

All-electric propulsion for vessel work just like the electric vehicle (EV) in land. The system gain power from shore grid. In other way, the all-electric vessel needs to recharge every time she alongside such in harbour or port. Electric propulsion is an economic, environmental-friendly, and reliable. They are simple to operate and control, and have low levels of noise and vibration. Also known as "Green-Diesel".

Those propulsion systems above were existed ideas that been created by creative inventors. Some are still in blueprint and some has been invented but require further research. Tomorrow or sooner we will see new vessel that much eco-friendly and efficient for water transportation. Come on guys, let work for a better and brighter future. Read constantly, widen our knowledge, learn from the past, think outside the box and remember nothing is impossible. Thank you for reading.

-17045 CDT. M.HAIQAL ISKANDAR-