2021 electrochemical solar container shipments

Can solar power a container ship?

They designed a solar and battery tech stack that can completely power a container ship at standard operating speeds. The transition to cleaner fuel is just one way to decarbonize the shipping industry. New retrofit technologies are emerging that can significantly reduce shipping emissions with less wait time.

Why did a consortium of solar panel manufacturers choose Maersk?

Keen to tap into this spike in demand, a consortium of key solar panel manufacturers approached Maersk for a cost-effective, fast and low-carbon logistics solution. Our customers are a group of renowned solar panel manufacturers with manufacturing operations across Asia. Most of these manufacturers had their factories far inland in China.

Are battery-electric ships a viable option for maritime shipping?

The maritime shipping industry is heavily energy-consuming and highly polluting, and, as such, is urgently seeking low-emission options. Here the authors examine the feasibility of battery-electric ships and show that the battery price declines could facilitate the electrification of short to medium-range shipping.

Is electric propulsion a green solution for ocean shipping?

Wiser, R. et al. Expert elicitation survey predicts 37% to 49% declines in wind energy costs by 2050. Nat. Energy 6, 555–565 (2021). Nguyen, H. P. et al. The electric propulsion system as a green solution for management strategy of CO 2 emission in ocean shipping: a comprehensive review. Int. Trans. Electrical Energy Sys. 31, e12580 (2020).

What are the technical constraints for battery-electric container shipping?

The key technical constraint for battery-electric container shipping is the volume of the battery system and electric motor relative to the volume occupied by a vessel’s existing engines, fuel storage and mechanical space. The extra weight of the BES system is, however, non-trivial in determining a vessel’s power requirements.

Are solar PV supply chains cost-competitive?

Currently, the cost competitiveness of existing solar PV manufacturing is a key challenge to diversifying supply chains. China is the most cost-competitive location to manufacture all components of the solar PV supply chain. Costs in China are 10% lower than in India, 20% lower than in the United States, and 35% lower than in Europe.