Dutch maritime solar innovator Wattlab says it has delivered a 35 kW solar system to provide power to the onboard and propulsion systems of an inland shipping cargo vessel running on the German canal network.
Wattlab announced last week that it had delivered the 35kW solar system, consisting of 192 solar panels, to HGK Shipping, Europe’s largest inland waterway shipping company.
The 192 panel solar system was installed on board the cargo vessel Blue Marlin at the De Gerlien van Tiem shipyard. It is not the biggest – it has previously installed 312 solar panels on the MS Helios – it will be used to directly power the ship’s high voltage electric propulsion, rather than focused only on board systems.
“The Blue Marlin’s 192 solar panels are not only connected to the low-voltage onboard systems but also to the high-voltage propulsion network,” said David Kester, Wattlab co-founder and COO.
“This means that HGK Shipping can proudly state that they are the first inland shipping company to operate a vessel that uses solar power directly for propulsion.”
The system will operate in conjunction with on board batteries and allow for one of the four diesel generators to be switched off even during high-demand periods.
“Furthermore, in situations where the ship is lightly loaded and travelling downstream, we anticipate that it may even sail using only solar power for limited periods – an unprecedented achievement in the inland shipping sector,” added Kester.
An automated energy management system will distribute electrical energy where and when it is needed, helping to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
“We have already reached a significant technical milestone with the construction of the Helios, which has had a noticeably positive impact,” said Tim Gödde, Director Ship Management at HGK Ship Management Lux S.à r.l.
“The Blue Marlin now goes one step further by also using solar energy for the power train. It makes another important contribution to making shipping, which is already a low-emission mode of transport, even more sustainable. We are excited to see how this innovative solution will prove itself in practical operation.
“We are proud to pioneer the use of solar propulsion in inland shipping. The Blue Marlin demonstrates what’s possible when innovation meets engineering expertise.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.