ABOUT THE PROJECT
This project is aimed at designing, developing and piloting an eco-friendly ferry system for inland waterways in the Philippines. The system will be composed of an electrically-propelled ferry boat and on-shore charging infrastructure.
The design of the boat, size of the components, and placement of charging infrastructure, will be based on a techno-economic study comparing potential sustainable system configurations applicable to any inland waterway that can be used as a passenger ferry system. A pilot system will be demonstrated with its performance compared to the current system in terms of economics, fuel efficiency, and environmental effect.
Rationale
It has been reported that the Philippines loses P3.5 billion a day due to Metro Manila traffic. The inland waterways in the country has the potential to be optimized to address such socio-economic issues. Despite having a projected usage of 40,000 passengers monthly, the existing ferry system in Pasig River remains under-utilized and underdeveloped.
Currently, the transportation sector is the 2nd largest contributor of GHG emission, and the water transportation system is by far heavily fossil-fuel based. Most of the existing boats are already old and made up of traditional designs. The emission from the engines causes air pollution. And oil spills cause water pollution resulting to extinction of fish and other marine organisms.
Thus, it is with these factors that we need to improve our inland water transportation systems in the Philippines to maximize the economic benefit of inland waterways but without harmful environmental effect.
OBJECTIVES
Develop a sustainable inland water transportation system in Metro Manila.
Determine the techno-economic feasibility of various e-boat designs fit for the inland waterays operations
Design an optimally sized electrically propelled boat with appropriate charging infrastructure placement
Pilot test the system and compare with the base case in terms of fuel efficiency and environmental effects
E-boat Prototype
POTENTIAL OUTCOMES
1.
Eco-friendly modern public transportation that addresses congestion in urban areas.
2.
Maximized economic benefit of waterways (public transport, logistics, tourism)
3.
Energy security for the transportation sector
4.
Positive environmental impact (less air pollution and oil spill)
METHODOLOGY
01 FEASIBILITY STUDY
Techno-economic feasibility study of different system configuration for an electrically propelled boat, and comparison of different charging infrastructure.
02 DESIGN & FABRICATION
Design and fabrication of the best technology determined in Phase 1. This phase involves prototyping and validation of designs of the boat and charging stations.
03 E-BOAT PILOT TESTING
Pilot testing of the prototype eboat which will be assessed in terms of social acceptability, technological efficacy, economic viability, and environmental soundness. infrastructure
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
Publications
- Two (2) publications in conference/journal
Patents / IP
- Potential utility model application for the system
Products
- Design modeling and methodology for electrically propelled boat
- One (1) prototype electrically propelled ferry boat
- Charging system
People Services
- Boat operator training
- Electric ferry research students
Places and Partnership
- Collaboration with MMDA
- Pilot electric ferry system
Policy
- With Marina, policy on emission regulation in water transportation
- Standards on electrically propelled water transportation
- LGU as part of their green transport plans