RINA awards AiP for energy-harvesting ship concept
Illutration of the energy-harvesting vessel design
(Source: RINA)
RINA has awarded UK-based Drift Energy with an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an energy-harvesting ship design which, it is claimed, will be the world’s first net-positive vessel. It is the first AiP to be awarded for a vessel that uses energy-harvesting technology.
The process involves hydro-kinetic turbines under the hull to produce electricity. This is then converted by electrolysis into green hydrogen fuel and stored on board for delivery to ports and other receivers ashore.
Drift Energy’s founder and CEO, Ben Medland, commented: “Our ships are set to play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, and I am delighted that Drift is defining the framework that such innovative vessels will be evaluated against in the future. The AiP validates the vessel’s feasibility from a class perspective and is a key step towards full plan approval.
“We have collaborated closely with the expert team at RINA to get to this point,” he continued, “and I am proud of the focused effort from Drift’s design team and the wider Drift crew that has enabled us to achieve this major milestone.”
The company aims to support the clean energy transition, particularly for coastal and island communities, and sectors facing decarbonisation challenges or limited access to renewable energy.
