Revista Sextante

Renewable Energy Technologies and Their Potential Applications in Naval and Maritime Engineering

Thiago M. Albuquerque

Department of Naval Architecture and Renewable Energy, Atlantic Institute of Maritime Technology, Recife, Brazil

Keywords: renewable energy, maritime engineering, wind assisted propulsion, hybrid power systems, naval sustainability

Abstract

The maritime sector faces growing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve fuel security, and limit environmental harm, while navies add requirements for endurance, resilience, and operational flexibility. Renewable energy technologies offer options for addressing these pressures across commercial shipping, ports, offshore installations, and naval forces. This article examines renewable energy technologies and their potential applications in naval and maritime engineering. It reviews the drivers of change, then analyses wind assisted propulsion, solar photovoltaic systems, wave, tidal, and offshore wind energy, energy storage and hybrid power architectures, and renewable fuels and hydrogen carriers. It then considers naval applications and operational constraints, and economic, regulatory, and environmental assessment. Drawing on research in marine engineering, renewable energy, and ship power systems, the analysis finds that renewable technologies can reduce fuel consumption and emissions, extend endurance, and improve resilience, but that their contribution varies widely by vessel type, route, and mission, and that high power and energy density requirements limit direct use on large combatants. The study concludes that the most promising path combines efficiency measures, hybrid systems, shore connections, and renewable fuels, supported by research, standards, and carefully targeted demonstration projects.