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 serious financial difficulties due to soaring fuel oil prices, and energy conservation became a prerequisite for the survival of the fishing industry. The single-line fishing industry in Suo Oshima-cho, Yamaguchi Prefecture, was no exception, and the burden of fuel costs was shaking the local economy. In response to this situation, the Oshima Commercial and Technical College of Maritime Technology and seven private companies developed hybrid fishing boat technology that combines a diesel engine and solar power generation. The vessel's hull is equipped with a 440-watt solar cell that uses solar power for low-speed travel within the fishing grounds and for standby, while conventional diesel oil is used for round-trip navigation. This supplementary system improved fuel efficiency by about 24% in the demonstration test, confirming the economic benefits. Furthermore, in the Seto Inland Sea, where water quality preservation
is an issue, the reduction in fuel consumption and emissions also contributed to the reduction of environmental impact. This technology does not aim for complete electrification, but rather is an energy-saving technology at a practical stage that takes into account the constraints of the field, and can be evaluated as a leading example of harmony between renewable energy and the fishing industry.