I could see a potential with completely autonomous vessels that could sail for weeks/months on solar/wind power without any human presence. Crew would only board the ship when approaching a harbour, and steer her to the dock.
Solar panels and wind turbines could generate electricity which would be stored in batteries and then used to drive electric motors propelling the ship. Slower than diesel but also cheaper and with less moving parts.
> Solar panels and wind turbines could generate electricity which would be stored in batteries and then used to drive electric motors propelling the ship.
I wonder what the efficiency of a wind turbine + engine would be compared to a sail.
Ie. if the wind blows so a ship with a sail moves at 20 mph, how fast could the wind turbine + engine move it?
There’s also a lot of maintenance that goes on while the ship is out at sea - requiring crew members regardless of who is piloting the ship. Requiring a ship to go into drydock for routine maintenance is pure loss for the shipping company.
Solar panels and wind turbines could generate electricity which would be stored in batteries and then used to drive electric motors propelling the ship. Slower than diesel but also cheaper and with less moving parts.