Cutting through the waves
The navy is making a number of smaller changes to its existing fleet that together add up to significant increases in fuel efficiency. New antifouling coatings like those applied to the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (left) help keep the hull free of barnacles and other marine organisms. This reduces drag and can increase fuel efficiency by as much as 12 per cent.
Other drag-reducing innovations include stern flaps – horizontal fins extending from the back of the hull which reduce drag on the hull by reducing turbulence in the water as it flows past the stern. The navy has already installed such flaps on a number of its ships, resulting in at least a 4 per cent reduction in fuel use.
(Image: Marshall Fukuki/US Navy)
The navy is making a number of smaller changes to its existing fleet that together add up to significant increases in fuel efficiency. New antifouling coatings like those applied to the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (left) help keep the hull free of barnacles and other marine organisms. This reduces drag and can increase fuel efficiency by as much as 12 per cent.
Other drag-reducing innovations include stern flaps – horizontal fins extending from the back of the hull which reduce drag on the hull by reducing turbulence in the water as it flows past the stern. The navy has already installed such flaps on a number of its ships, resulting in at least a 4 per cent reduction in fuel use.
(Image: Marshall Fukuki/US Navy)
Going hybrid
Nicknamed the Prius of the seas, the USS Makin Island is a hybrid diesel-electric ship that relies on electric motors for power at low speeds. On its maiden voyage in 2009 it saved almost $2 million in fuel costs sailing around South America from Mississippi to its home port in San Diego, California.
Next year the navy plans to test-drive its Great Green Fleet, a strike group including an aircraft carrier and escort ships powered either by nuclear fuel or 50-50 blends of biofuels and conventional fuel. The carrier's aircraft will also run on a mix of biofuel and aviation fuel. The fleet is scheduled to be deployed for regular use in 2016.
(Image: US Navy)
Nicknamed the Prius of the seas, the USS Makin Island is a hybrid diesel-electric ship that relies on electric motors for power at low speeds. On its maiden voyage in 2009 it saved almost $2 million in fuel costs sailing around South America from Mississippi to its home port in San Diego, California.
Next year the navy plans to test-drive its Great Green Fleet, a strike group including an aircraft carrier and escort ships powered either by nuclear fuel or 50-50 blends of biofuels and conventional fuel. The carrier's aircraft will also run on a mix of biofuel and aviation fuel. The fleet is scheduled to be deployed for regular use in 2016.
(Image: US Navy)
Geothermal power
Beyond getting ships, planes and front-line troops off oil, the US navy and marines aim to dramatically cut fossil fuel use at their permanent bases. A geothermal power plant in California's Mojave desert supplies 20 times more energy to the grid than is used by the China Lake navy base that it powers.
By harnessing solar, wind, geothermal and wave energy, the navy and marines aim to get half of their bases producing as much energy as they consume by 2020 – no mean feat, considering they have 72,500 buildings worldwide.
(Image: US Navy)
Beyond getting ships, planes and front-line troops off oil, the US navy and marines aim to dramatically cut fossil fuel use at their permanent bases. A geothermal power plant in California's Mojave desert supplies 20 times more energy to the grid than is used by the China Lake navy base that it powers.
By harnessing solar, wind, geothermal and wave energy, the navy and marines aim to get half of their bases producing as much energy as they consume by 2020 – no mean feat, considering they have 72,500 buildings worldwide.
(Image: US Navy)
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