Globalization has resulted in huge growth in international shipping. Off-shoring manufacturing and shipping products to far-away markets makes economic sense when oil costs are cheap. The models appear to be breaking down a bit, as reported by the New York Times earlier this month (Aug. 2008). And from a climate change perspective, the shipping industry is apparently worse than air travel.
A couple of renewable energy options are floating out there...
Could ships be mobile solar power plants? The Japanese plan to harvest some solar energy to power engines and well as living quarters, as reported by Reuters. And with some additional investment, other renewables could work. I assume all waste is dumped overboard (contributing to other environmental issues, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch). This could be an option for a waste gasification project (if technically possible/safe). Methane/biofuels could be harvested from waste, as well.
And from the "everything old is new again" department, we have a startup using wind to pull boats. KiteShip has a steady track record over the past couple of years chatting up it's innovative sail system - even grabbing a Guinness World Record for the largest kite ever.
I thought they started out with commercial marine applications, but it looks like they have equal emphasis on recreational marine and even plan to harness solar and Martian winds. I see talk of trials but no named customers.
Let's hope these high oil prices tip the scale in favor of renewable energy in global shipping.
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