Environment & Energy

oldhippie

(3,249 posts)

10. But why take on the weight and cost penalty .....

Fri Jun 28, 2013, 09:18 PM

Jun 2013

... of the panels, support equipment, big electric motors, the gearbox need to match slow speed diesel with electric motors, etc., to get a less than 10% assist, when you already have 1.5 million barrels of energy dense liquid fuel in your hold? Yes, it is great to cut down on the carbon emission, but at what cost?

I notice the website says that a study of the economic benefits "solar sail" concept would be ready in June of 2012, but there is no sign of it. That might be telling. I am all for use of PV and other solar power for almost any application, but it has to make sense.

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The Future of Solar and Wind Powered Shipping [View all] OKIsItJustMe Jun 2013 OP

There is no future in solar- and wind- powered shipping. wtmusic Jun 2013 #1

76 days from San Francisco to Boston pscot Jun 2013 #2

I like the solar sail tanker, but ....... oldhippie Jun 2013 #3

I may be wrong but� OKIsItJustMe Jun 2013 #4

But why take on the weight and cost penalty ..... oldhippie Jun 2013 #10

I find it difficult to imagine the equation works out that badly OKIsItJustMe Jun 2013 #14

That's a metaphor for the whole renewable vs fossil fuels pscot Jun 2013 #5

People think we can maintain perpetual economic growth NickB79 Jun 2013 #6

I think you nailed it Not Sure Jun 2013 #7

That's all they hear from pscot Jun 2013 #8

And the PV cells in the picture would be enough to heat the crew's quarters. wtmusic Jun 2013 #9

Is about zip? Yo_Mama Jun 2013 #11

I wonder how long someone spent mocking up that stupid picture... wtmusic Jun 2013 #12

It was putting the word "cargo" in there Yo_Mama Jun 2013 #13