Our environmental strategy is one of the overall strategies laid out in the midterm management plan, "GEAR UP! MOL
." It calls for evolving into a corporate group that meets today's demands by offering transport solutions with a lower environmental burden. A major pillar in achieving this goal is the Senpaku ISHIN project, our concept for next-generation vessels that will employ feasible technologies to reduce CO2 emissions and other environmental loads. This report profiles developmental progress on core component technologies for the three series of Senpaku ISHIN concept vessels.
ISHIN-I
Hybrid Car Carrier that Uses Renewable Energy
Features
- Zero emissions while in port and during loading and unloading
- 50% less CO2 emitted while at sea
Achieving Zero Emissions While in Port
As a part of efforts to develop CO2-reduction technologies, MOL is teaming with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. to conduct R&D on hybrid car carriers that use solar power generation systems. Solar power generation systems were installed on Euphony Ace, delivered in November 2005, and Swift Ace, delivered in May 2008, but before the end of fiscal 2011, we will complete development of a hybrid power supply system that combines a scaled-up solar power generation system with lithium-ion batteries. The system will be installed on a car carrier slated for delivery in June 2012. Zero emissions will be achieved by charging the lithium-ion batteries with electricity generated by the solar power system while at sea and consuming the electricity while in port, which will allow the diesel power generators to be shut off.
Hybrid Car Carrier Slated for Delivery in 2012
Computer rendering of solar panels (approx. 160 kilowatts) on an existing ship
Team Senpaku ISHIN(Fourth person from left)
Executing Senpaku ISHIN project
Takahiro Hayakawa, Ship Design Group, Technical Division
Executing a project that organically combines two disparate industrial sectors - a large oceangoing vessel and lithium-ion batteries - is a major challenge. Establishing safety measures was particularly difficult. But thanks to effective teamwork, we are now projecting delivery of a hybrid car carrier in June 2012. It is our hope that expertise gained from the project will help lower the environmental impact of ships in the future.
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ISHIN-II
Ferry that Uses LNG as Fuel
Features
- Use of LNG as fuel: By using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel, the vessel has cleaner exhaust gases and greatly reduces CO2 emissions.
- Use of shore power supply system: While in port and at berth, the ship uses electricity supplied from shore and rechargeable batteries to achieve zero emissions
- Emphasis on comfort
- CO2 reduction: 50%
Realizing the Use of LNG as Fuel
Compared to the fuel oils presently used by ships, liquefied natural gas (LNG) reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 20% and lowers emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide (SOx), considered to be causes of acid rain and atmospheric pollution, by 70% to 90% or more. LNG is therefore known as a clean energy. It follows that switching the fuel used by ships from fuel oil to LNG will make them more environmentally friendly. The technology has already been established, but in Japan, ship and port regulations are not yet in place, so there have been no practical applications to date. In order to resolve all of the issues involved, MOL proactively attends committee meetings with the government, shipping companies, shipbuilders, gas utilities and others, as it works to make practical use of LNG fuel a reality as soon as possible.
ISHIN-III
Very Large Ore Carrier With High-Efficiency Waste Heat Energy Recovery System
Features
- Waste heat energy recovery to assist propulsion
- Employs technologies to reduce CO2 emissions even at low speeds, as well as during normal operation
- CO2 reduction: 30%
Pursuing Energy Efficiency on a Larger Scale
The diesel-type engines used on ships offer the best environmental performance of any engine. However, for a ship's engine to turn the propellers and move the ship forward, roughly one-quarter of the thermal energy inputted as fuel is wasted as exhaust gas. In recent years, progress has been made on technology for effectively utilizing the thermal energy contained in exhaust gas that is wasted. MOL itself continues to test technology for converting thermal energy in exhaust gas to electricity and technology for using electricity obtained from exhaust gas to help power the propellers. We are working with shipbuilders and engine manufacturers with the goal of installing waste heat recovery technology that builds on conventional advantages on an actual ship in two to three years.
The Road to ISHIN Development Roadmap
ISHIN-I, -II, and -III employ many technologies other than the component technologies introduced here. We have created a roadmap for research, development and testing on all component technologies and regularly monitor progress toward early implementation on actual ships. The roadmap spells out the costs and benefits of component technologies that have reached the stage of practical application and encourages their adoption by divisions in charge of each type of ship.
Examples of Other Component Technologies Development of Fuel Additives
"TAICRUSH HD," a fuel additive developed jointly by MOL's Technology Research Center and TaihoKohzai Co., Ltd., is a key technology of the Senpaku ISHIN project. This additive helps to improve ignition performance and combustion efficiency, which are expected to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 1.5%. MOL is successively introducing the additive on its fleet of ships, allowing the company to also reduce CO2 emissions.
Details of the component technologies can be found on the special website.
