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The first thing that came to mind was the Magradome roof on some ships - could they be used to harness the sun, or is there another way???
Or is Rex just getting crazy now that he's 40???
[ 08-15-2007: Message edited by: Rex ]
I doubt that it would make any sense. (beside publicity) Photovoltaic elements have an efficiency of about 10 % and it takes a lot of energy to make them - at best a negligible contribution to the electricity consumption of the ship - and warm water (and heat in general) is available form the excess heat from the engines.
There are better ways to safe energy on a cruise ship.
[ 08-04-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]
The hybridferry in Sydney, saves 7 million $ in fuel in 15 years.This design is supposed to be tested on different and llarger ships...
http://www.solarsailor.com/index.htm
[ 08-04-2007: Message edited by: AleksNorway ]
quote:Originally posted by AleksNorway:http://www.tu.no/samferdsel/article107739.ece?service=image&start=2The hybridferry in Sydney, saves 7 million $ in fuel in 15 years.This design is supposed to be tested on different and llarger ships...http://www.solarsailor.com/index.htm
This are all very interesting concepts - but they have nothing in common with nowadays conventional cruise ships. Solar power can only contribute a tiny fraction to the energy consumption of such a cruise ship. (do the math)
It is nevertheless worth to look at aternative cruise concepts where the use of solar power might actually make sense. (And do not forget the most prominent use of solar power on ships: sails)
BTW - Happy Birthday.
[ 08-07-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]
How about a Nuclear cruise ship? When you got home from vacation you might even glow in the dark?
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:There would be an uproar if you replaced every deck chair with a sloar pannel. Even then I doubt if it would not generate enough electricity to power a Carnival ships neon signs! How about a Nuclear cruise ship? When you got home from vacation you might even glow in the dark?
Malcome a solution fore every problem Glowing in the dark cruises.
Actually neon lights are quite low on energy uses. So that must not be a problem. Maybe they can shut down the lights at night at lounges that not used as theater, cinema, dinning rooms etc.
Greetings Ben.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:When you got home from vacation you might even glow in the dark?
Especially if you have been indulging in that Dungeness Crab
Pam
Also, keep in mind that photovoltaics is not the only way to take advante of the radiation from the sun. Giving that it costs a lot of energy and resources to get photovoltaic elemtents (and it takes many, many, many years until a photovoltaic element has safed more energy than it 'cost' to make it) other applications like heating water (not necessary aboard a ship as heat from the engines is avaiable) are often more attractive - and as said, there is actually a prominent, well know techique for ships to take advantage of the energy coming from the sun - sailing ships.
Photovoltaic installations are not only fixed, they are carefully aligned to maximize the solar impact. (OK I know, there are test and competition cars w/ solar panels on their roofs, but by and large they get most of their charge when they are stopped. I am thinking of a solar power plant in which I was once involved, back in the early days of Federal energy acitivity. Bazillions of square feet of mirrors and panels, were all carefully aimed at a boiler.
Even a large ship would have to not only have literally acres of panels, they would have to be optimally positioned in reference fo the jolly old sun.
Ain't gonna happen.
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