MWRA Sustainable Energy in Water sports Energy Efficiency & Renewables on the Water

Objectives Understand drivers for energy use on the water Options for Energy efficiency Options for Renewable energy

Principles Energy Efficiency: –Provide the service required using as little energy as possible –NOT: Sit in a dim cold room (boat). Renewables: –Provide required power with the least Cost as possible (environmental as well as euro) –NOT: spend loads of money on kit so we can waste it!

Principles Of Energy Efficiency Typical energy use of a standard 100w light bulb in a sitting room Turn off the light when we’re not in the room Use a more efficient source say a 20w CFL. Still the same light delivered. If the sitting room is too bright lets put in a 10w bulb Then we install renewable energy 1000 hrs a year 100w or 100,000 watt hours or 100 kwh (€17) 700 hrs a year 100w or 70 kwh (€12) 14kwh 700 hrs 20w or 14 kwh (€2.40) hrs 10w or 7 kwh (€1.20) Increasing Effort, Savings, investment

Turn it off when not in use. Maintain systems –N.B De-ice freezers! –Properly tensioned alternator belt –Good electrical contacts & wiring Add cold items to fridge if possible Buy efficient: get certification/ data not salesmen. Simple stuff first

Understanding how much energy we use Luminous Efficacy (circuit)

Typically are 70% efficient & Lose ~1%/week Can use up to 80% power (50% for starting batteries) Repeated excess discharges reduces storage and efficiency. Limited max charging rate - ~10A charge (110 AH) Ideally suitable for smoothing out charge & use patterns. 110 AH leisure battery =>110 x 12.5V = 1375 Watt hours Deep Cycle 80% recoverable => 1100 Wh or 1.1kWh Or 1 amp for 120 hours (x0.8) ~ 100 hours 5 amps for 20 hours….10 amps for 10 hours… etc Deep Cycle Lead acid batteries

Other Energy Uses: Reduce where possible Typical Energy UseWattsCurrent VHF Standby VHF Hi Power Transmit756 High quality 40L fridge12.51 Large Fridge freezer Freezer37.53 Typical Peltier (cheap) coolbox fridge504 Chart Plotter90.7 Bulb based Nav lights252 LED Nav lights Stereo201.5

Prior to installing renewables – bring down load first Energy efficiency much cheaper than renewable energy Estimate load and use of all appliances Estimate occupancy & pattern of use: –Blue water cruising Vs Weekend use. –Coastal (diesel available) Vs Ocean Size storage (batteries) Vs use & generator capacity Renewables

Solar Panels: Three types Renewables AmorphousPoly-crystalineMonocrystaline CostLowMediumHigh Efficiency5% - 10%10%-14%15%-22% ShapeThin flexiblemulti-shape hardFixed octagonal LifeLimited20+ yrs UseOn deckBolted to Rail Not all solar panels are the same: Cost Vs Efficiency must be noted Solar charge controller required. Prices tumbling (20% - 30% per annum) Great for trickle charging – keeping batteries healthy

Wind Generators: Wind proportional to Cube of windspeed – high windspeeds necessary Necessary to mount as high as possible off deck (wind speed proportional to height off ground). Clear air if possible (rear mount generally) Intermittent (Battery sizing important) Use wind power curve to evaluate Typical outputs for costal marine would be 25% of rated capacity (15-20% inland) Renewables

Tow Generator –Needs 4kts to have reasonable output –Good for long cruising passages –Reduces boat speed – useful when excess wind present –Pointless under power. –Issues with chaffing Harness electricity off propeller (engine off) –Reduces boat speed –Need to gear up (pulley(s)) –Need to balance forces on prop shaft –Only worthwhile for blue-water cruising Renewables

Do an Energy Audit – Power rating and usage time See what can be reduced in time (switch off!) Any maintenance requirements – healthy battery etc. See what energy efficiency upgrades can be done –Interior lights –Navigation lights –Re-fridgeration Renewables –battery trickle charger (10 W solar) –Light loads for weekends etc 60W solar + backup engine –Heavy loads: consider wind + solar combination Summary

Biofuels Solar powered boats Motive Power

Tipperary Energy Agency Craft Granary Church St Cahir Co. Tipperary Ireland Paul Kenny B.E C.Eng MIEI Senior Energy Consultant T: F: E: W: