GenTech and the Future

Global warming: Fuel Efficiency will strengthen our hand - Article by Pacific Fishing Magazine

Fishing has been good to Earling Skaar, and now -- like many others in the industry -- he's turned his prodigious energies to an enterprise that helps vessel operators cut costs and reduce CO2 pollution, a grave threat to the sea that feeds us.

Skaar's latest venture, GenTech, has developed a computer-controlled, hydraulically driven generator system that efficiently taps the vessel's main engine to power equipment and lights without running an extra, fuel-guzzling diesel generator.

Aboard Skaar's crabber North American, the system allows his son John to idle a 155-KW genset powered by a Cat 3306. That translates to huge savings on fuel normally burned to drive compressors and lights while in transit.

"When we run up to Dutch Harbor from Seattle, this boat will save about $2,200 to $2,500 by having the GenTech," says Erling.

Surprisingly, GenTech's system doesn't just transfer fuel cost from the auxiliary to the main; it slashes overall fuel consumption. The controller adjusts automatically to RPM changes and, incidentally, loads the main engine to its optimum performance. This allows the engine to work more cleanly and more efficiently.

On the North American, the system eliminates more than 98 percent of the fuel consumption and carbon emissions. These measures aren't free, but they cut operating costs, which is why they're happening.

References: http://www.pacificfishing.com/