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Japan's Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd. (EMP) has today announced that lab testing of its Aquarius MRE System – a revolutionary wind and solar power solution for ships – will commence in a test facility in Osaka, Japan from early June.

Testing will initially be focused on the computer control system including rigourous testing of the various safety features that have been specifically developed for the Aquarius MRE System. KEI System Co, Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, is providing the control system which will be based around its KEI-3240 platform.

The lab testing phase will also involve evaluating the operability of the command console and testing other components of the Aquarius MRE System such as the EnergySail – a revolutionary rigid sail designed by EMP that enables a number of renewable energy technologies to be incorporated into a single unit.

Commenting on the news, EMP said: "This is a significant move forward as it takes the project into the prototype testing and type approval phase after which sea trials can be conducted."

Greg Atkinson, Director of Development at EMP said: “The confidence our development partners have shown in the Aquarius MRE System plus the interest we are seeing from the shipping industry convinced us to move ahead with our development & testing schedule. Our vision is that once again we will see ocean going ships fitted with rigid sails, but this time we will be incorporating additional renewable technologies to create a system that will provide shipping a cost effective path towards lower noxious gas emissions & lower fossil fuel consumption.”

The Aquarius MRE System is an advanced integrated system of rigid sails, solar panels & energy storage modules that allows ships to tap into renewable energy by harnessing the power provided by the wind and sun. The array of rigid sails is automatically positioned to best suit the prevailing weather conditions and can be lowered and stored when not in use or during storms. The system can also be used when a ship is in harbour or at anchor.

Ships ideally suited for this cutting edge marine renewable energy (MRE) system include bulk ore carriers, oil tankers, patrol ships & fishery protections vessels. EMP has also progressed with the development of a version of the system for use on smaller ships such as passenger ferries and Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV’s).

Land-based testing of the system is scheduled to finish in early 2013 and Eco Marine Power is currently discussing with several companies plans for installing a system onboard a ship for sea trails during the second half of 2013.

Image: The Aquarius Eco Ship - Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd.