A multi-criteria optimization approach for solar energy and wind power technologies in shipping

Abstract

The continuous pressure for reducing energy costs, as well as the increasing need to control climate change and air quality degradation has led to a substantial shift in environmental awareness driven through the emergence of stricter policy and legislation. Energy saving efforts must be universal in all energy-intensive sectors, such as industry and transport (whether land, sea or air modes are involved). Sea-borne transport is widely recognised as a major source of exhaust emissions, due to the use of heavy and light oil as the main fuel of onboard combustion engines. Therefore, scientific research is focused on the development and implementation of various technical and operational solutions to reduce the exhaust emissions from ships. Amongst them, the application of shipboard renewable energy technologies may constitute a viable option vis-a-vis to various ship-related technical and operational criteria. The current work presents the underlying legislative framework which dictates the need to pursue this research challenge, highlights the available options towards conforming to this framework and examines the effectiveness of introducing an onboard renewable hybrid energy system with reference to a particular vessel study.