Whales may hold the secret to helping reduce emissions by one of the world’s most polluting industries.
Engineering giant ABB has developed a new propulsion system that mimics the movements of a whale tail, which it says reduces ships’ energy consumption by more than a fifth. Such an innovation could prevent the predicted rise in shipping industry pollution as world trade grows.
It's yet another innovation that's leading the charge to reduce the shipping industry's significant carbon footprint, such as the giant kites helping propel cargo ships and hydrogen powered shipping.
ABB's technology - called the Dynafin - consists of a series of five vertical fins that protrude from the hull of vessels. They are hooked up to a large wheel inside the ship, powered by an electric motor, that rotates at between 30-80 rounds per minute.
The movement of the wheel and blades combined allows ships to be powered and steered simultaneously. ABB claims trials of the system show the innovation will reduce energy consumption by 22 percent when compared with conventional propulsion methods.
Although it avoids much of the criticism levelled at the aviation industry, the shipping sector has a similar carbon footprint, being responsible for almost 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions annually.
If the maritime industry was a country it would be the world’s sixth biggest emitter. So any and all innovations that can reduce its emissions are undoubtedly positive progress.
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