Eco Factor: Submarine powered by a floating solar array.
Swiss company BKW FMB Energie has undertaken Project Goldfish to develop the world’s fist solar powered submarine. The submarine, which would be powered by a floating solar array, would save power that is used for continual trips to shore for recharging.
The water-lily shaped floating platform is surrounded by 5 pontoons that carry the solar panels. The array would cover an area of 300 square meters and would generate 30 kilowatts of electricity. The electricity generated would not only recharge the deep cycle batteries of the sub but would also power the GPS locaters of the submarine to maintain its position.
A solar powered shuttle would be brought to use ferry the passengers to and from the submarine. The 80 ton submarine would have a maximum diving depth of 300 meters and would be able to stay submerged for over 30 minutes. It will be able to give its 24 researchers a better glimpse of the world below the surface of Lake Thun in the Swiss Alps.
The Dark Side:
Apart from the normal cons associated with the use of solar energy and the high estimated cost of the sub, we don’t think that the sub would cause any sort of problems to the crew or the passengers.
Via: Energy Matters
