Australia launches new environmental ferries

After last year's oil prices skyrocketed to 140 US dollars a barrel, and with growing carbon emissions, Australia has launched new environmentally friendly ferries.

The solar Sailor, it's silent and environmentally friendly.

This hybrid solar ferry prototype awaits a greener future as it sits docked in Sydney's Darling Harbor. The boat harnesses energy from a combination of solar, wind and fossil fuels. The boat's batteries charge via the solar panels and can store energy for use in cloudy or dark conditions.

Robert Dane, Solar Sailor Chief Executive, said, "One of the big unique advantages of this technology is the ability to be zero emissions at the wharf. So we can be sitting here and instead of belching out diesel we can be just sitting here with zero emissions and back out and turn around and drive off with zero emission."

Each boat will be capable of carrying 100 passengers and their luggage. It will be able to reach speeds of 11 kilometers per hour using renewable electric power, and 20 kilometers per hour when using all energy sources.

Cameron Halliday, General Manager of the Jockey Club, said, "Based on our projected savings on diesel or the reduction of 30 to 40 per cent diesel consumption, we anticipate that on an annual basis we will reduce out CO2 emissions by over one thousand tons every year."

Solar ferry technology has created a bright future for the larger shipping industry. Many are looking towards renewable energy as oil prices continue to remain unstable. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has ordered four of the boats to ferry its customers from harbour to its golf course . They are expected to begin service in Hong Kong in Spring 2010.