Hydrogen-Powered Yacht
The world’s first hydrogen-powered yacht will be used to study pollution in the Mediterranean. The Zero Co2 project uses a clean carbon-free auxiliary motor. The 12-meter craft built by the RM shipyard of La Rochelle is equipped with an electric motor driven by a hydrogen fuel cell developed by CEA Liten of Genoble.
It is also equipped with renewable energy power sources (solar, wind, and hydro) to generate power for onboard requirements.
The yacht will travel around the Mediterranean coast as far as Turkey on a journey that will commence in March, 2010. It will be presented for the first time at the Paris Boat show in December, 2009.
A scientific platform has been installed on the yacht by the University Joseph Fournier (UJF) and its technical transfer subsidiary, Floralis. It will be used to collect scientific data on man-made pollution throughout the length of what is estimated to be a 10-month trip.
The onboard laboratory will analyze air, sea, and port sediments to evaluate the pollution from the sea and coastline.
The key aim of the project is to develop and promote new energy sources to replace fossil fuels and to lead to a reduction in carbon emissions and the mitigation of the greenhouse effects.
The Zero CO2 journey should open up amateur and professional sailors to new ways of enjoying the sea, using cutting-edge technologies that are both more respectful of the environment and more economic in terms of energy consumption.
The journey will also serve as a venue for the carrying out of research into the possibility of producing “green hydrogen” through the installation of solar panels and wind turbines on the roofs of port-side buildings.
The Zero CO2 projects hopes to raise awareness of climate change, pollution, and the importance of alternative energies to the Mediterranean population, global community, and professional or amateur sailors.
- Katrice R. Jalbuena
