Japanese NYK announced that it will deploy a binary cycle power generation system on one newly constructed Panamax bulk carrier to be operated by the company.
As the company explained, the system will generate electricity from the exhaust heat emitted by the marine engine’s air cooler and NYK will provide the system developer with operational data from the ship to help improve the product.
The binary cycle power generation system for ships has been jointly developed by Kobe Steel, Ltd., Miura Co. Ltd., and Asahi Shipping Co. Ltd. and has received approval as “environmental equipment” from ClassNK. The generated electric power will serve as auxiliary power and will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 2.3% by decreasing fuel consumption.
NYK has previously equipped Capesize bulk carriers and pure car and truck carriers with hybrid power supply systems to utilize exhaust heat from engine exhaust gas. However, the binary cycle power generation system will give the opportunity to reuse engine exhaust heat to generate electricity on Pamamax vessels.