Using Renewable Energy on Electric Vessels in Coastal Regions

Abstract

Today, electric drive technologies have become feasible alternatives to many systems running on fossil fuels. Even though all control mechanisms enforced by the IMO, the global maritime industry’s Greenhouse Gas input to the atmosphere is so deeply extensive that it is comparable to industrialized nations’ total emissions. Therefore, electric ships will become significant contributors to the GHG emission reduction effort. In this study, the opportunity to use renewable resources in electric ships will be discussed, as it is an underrated opportunity that has immense potential in terms of sustainability and global warming. The conclusion we have reached is that full electric drive systems may become a massive step towards safer, greener, and more sustainable shipping on the global scale in the age of intelligent systems. The benefits of electric ships further increase when combined with renewable energy sources such as solar power.