NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations is taking several steps towards achieving more energy efficient platforms and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for its ship fleet by 2050.
This effort applies to both NOAA's current ships and ships under construction for the agency. Any new ships built for NOAA will incorporate the latest technologies, including high-efficiency diesel engines, emissions controls, and energy storage systems or battery banks. Additionally, NOAA is changing practices and integrating technologies to reduce the carbon footprint from ships that are already part of the NOAA fleet and their missions.
Upgrading Current Ships
H. Brown to reduce the ship’s fuel use by 25%. This is one
example of ongoing investments to reach the goal of having
an energy efficient fleet. Photo: NOAA
Making updates to NOAA’s 15 research vessels is no small task. The evolution will involve retrofitting new propulsion systems, which will reduce emissions significantly, and incorporating eco-friendly equipment onto future ships.
NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown is one of the first ships in the NOAA fleet to receive efficiency upgrades as part of the comprehensive maintenance to extend its service life. The emissions-reducing propulsion system will allow the ship to use less fuel than previous engine models while it continues to perform important oceanographic studies out at sea.
Small changes, with big impacts, have also been making their way within the NOAA fleet. LED lighting systems have replaced fluorescent fixtures, saving energy while underway and alongside. Automatic shutoff faucets have also been installed to reduce potable water waste and save energy that would be used to create or treat the water.
Looking towards the future
Fuel use dramatically increases with speed. For example, an increase from 10 to 12 knots can consume nearly 50% more fuel. NOAA ship operators are working with our science teams to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by identifying the most efficient speed at specific times, going faster when it matters and reducing speed when possible. Thoughtful use of speed reduces greenhouse gas emissions without impacting the mission.
In the coming years, NOAA will be adding four new ships to the fleet, which will reflect the strictest EPA emissions requirement for off-highway diesel engines. Two of the ships that are currently being built for NOAA—Discoverer and Oceanographer— will include sustainable technologies, which will result in substantial energy and cost savings. Some of these improvements will include the latest power generation technology and lithium ion batteries as a power reserve. NOAA, with the U.S. Navy, performed extensive testing on the ships’ hulls and propellers to ensure they produced less noise or bubble interference to minimize any potential impacts to wildlife.
Two charting and mapping vessels, Surveyor and Navigator, are being designed but will also include technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. These ships will be capable of launching and retrieving uncrewed marine systems. These systems will work in conjunction with traditional charting and mapping technology.
Sustainable efforts will continue to grow over the years. These investments to make our ships more energy efficient are a part of a longer term strategy to ensure our fleet and operations are more cost effective. As technology advances to improve environmental health, NOAA will incorporate equipment and practices that support the agency’s missions in the most efficient and economical way. This includes training NOAA personnel to effectively leverage these newer technologies.