Another Light on the Sea: When Fishing Meets Renewable Energy: An Experiment in Hybrid Fishing Vessels (December 2008)

Another Light on the Sea: When Fishing Meets Renewable Energy: An Experiment in Hybrid Fishing Vessels (December 2008)
In the late 2000s, Japan's coastal fishing industry faced a serious business crisis due to soaring oil prices. Rising fuel costs hit small-scale fisheries harder, and energy-saving measures were considered essential for the survival of the industry. In Suo Oshima Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture, a shortage of fishermen and an increasing cost burden combined to create a worrisome situation for the local economy. In response to this issue, the Oshima College of Maritime Technology and seven private companies developed a hybrid fishing boat that combines diesel and solar power generation. By combining a solar cell-mounted hull with a conventional diesel engine, the vessel uses diesel oil when traveling to and from the fishing grounds and solar power when traveling at low speeds within the fishing grounds. In the demonstration test, fuel consumption was improved by approximately 24%, confirming the effectiveness of the system in reducing fuel costs. In terms of the environment, the ex
periment has reduced emissions and fuel consumption in the Seto Inland Sea, where ecological preservation has been demanded, and has demonstrated the compatibility of fishing and the environment. This technology is an effort to reduce energy load according to realistic conditions, rather than aiming for complete electrification, and it presents the possibility that the use of renewable energy can contribute to the regeneration of the fishing industry.