The first of four solar powered ferries will begin operation in Hong Kong around November 2009. The ferries have been ordered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club will operate on the route from Sai Kung to Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course.
The ferries will be able to operate on 100% solar energy on sunny days with liquid petroleum gas being used as a back up for when those occasional clouds show. On average the ferries are hoping for solar energy to produce 75% of the total running energy over the long term.
The ships have been ordered from Solar Sailor Holding Ltd, the shipbuilders builders and designers based in Sydney Australia.
The purchase is part of the Hong Kong Government`s drive to make the city more environmental friendly and have set aside US$45 million in funding.
The Solar Sailor`s hybrid marine power could save ferry operators $6 million in fuel costs over the 15 lifespan of their engines. The engine, 190/25kW Hybrid Marine Power (HMP) systems, has many applications for urban ferries and private yachts and with more cities and harbors making a drive for cleaner technologies this will only make this type of system more desirable than conventional fossil fuel engines.
The route from Sia Kung is just one of a large network of ferry routes in Hong Kong with around 200 islands in total. If successful, these types of solar powered ferries could could become the norm for urban travel.
Related posts:
No Comments Yet - be the First!