Marine Craft with Solar Power

Imagine a futuristic marine craft that looks like it jumped off the pages of a Jules Verne or H.G. Wells science fiction novel. Imagine breakthrough technology that captures the power of the sun for fueling adventures. Imagine traveling to exotic destinations in the equatorial regions of the earth using advanced technology. Imagine sailing around the world in a completely quiet vessel that does not cause adverse ecological or environmental impacts.Environment Clean Generations

Stop imagining! The future of ocean travel is upon us, and it is called the MS TÛRANOR. This is the largest solar-powered boat in the world. Craig Loomes from Auckland, New Zealand, designed the ship, and Knierim Werft in Kiel, Germany, built it. It took Werft about 14 months to construct the futuristic vessel. The name TÛRANOR comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's book "Lord of the Rings" and means "the power of the sun" and "victory," according to the PlanetSolar Web site.Environment Clean Generations

The large, 60-ton catamaran is nearly concealed by the solar panels topside. The ship's deck is an impressive 5,700 square feet of solar panels. The solar ship is large enough to hold up to 40 people: four crew members and 36 passengers.Environment Clean Generations

Some of the solar cell panels are adjustable to optimize sunlight capturing. The solar ship also is equipped with rechargeable power cells that can sustain the craft for up to three days if the ship encounters excessively cloudy skies or poor weather conditions.

This voyage to circumnavigate the earth using only the power of the sun began September 27, 2010. The ship set off from Monaco amidst much celebration and fanfare. The crew plans to sail the craft around the world at a leisurely average of 7.5 knots.

by "environment clean generations"

Keep Reading...

Posted in: boat,environment,environment clean generations,marine craft,passengers,sail,solar panels,solar power,water

The Future of Green Architecture

Physalia A museum, nightclub and filtration system, Physalia uses its hull and rooftop plants to scrub away pollution. Physalia is half-boat, half-building, and all green. This mammoth aluminum concept by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut is meant to travel Europe’s rivers, making filthy water drinkable. At the same time, the ship generates more energy than it uses. 

A coat of titanium dioxide paint brushed onto the silvery shell will neutralize pollution by absorbing ultraviolet rays, enabling a chemical reaction that decomposes organic and inorganic toxins. (It’s the same technology used in certain high-tech concrete that breaks down airborne particulates.)

As the vessel whips along, purifying waterways, it can draw on both solar and hydro power. Turbines under the hull transform water movement into electricity, and rooftop photovoltaic cells harness energy from the sun. The roof doubles as a nursery, whose carefully selected plants help filter river gunk, whether from the Thames, Rhine or Euphrates. 

But Physalia isn’t just designed to be a working ship. The vessel will also be a floating museum of sorts. Scientists who study aquatic ecosystems can hole up in the dedicated “Earth garden” lab, and tourists can visit temporary exhibits in a “water garden” or settle into a submerged lounge that could easily pass for a London nightclub.

Callebaut, 33, dreamed up the idea after last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen shone a long-overdue spotlight on global water issues. He has some lofty terms for his project: It’s a “nomadic hydrodynamic laboratory,” a “fragment of living earth,” and a “floating agora” on a “geopolitical scale.” Others might just call it a cool idea.

 by "environment clean generations"

Keep Reading...

Posted in: architecture,boat,building,climate change,future,green,hydro power,water