10-07-2017
Energy Observer is a hydrogen vessel launched in April 2017. Developed in collaboration with engineers from the CEA-LITEN the boat will test and prove the efficiency of a full production chain that relies on the coupling of different renewable energies. Energy Observer will be the « first hydrogen vessel around the world ». Following its launch, scheduled for winter 2017, the boat will leave in the Spring for a world tour lasting 6 years in order to optimize its technologies and lead an expedition that will serve durable solutions for energy transition.
Technologies used
Designed in partnership with a naval architect team and the CEA–LITEN of Grenoble, this experimental vessel is going to be the first with autonomous means of producing hydrogen on board and without emitting greenhouse gas emissions using renewable energies. The boat will produce and store hydrogen using seawater thanks to an energy mix involving: 3 types of solar panels spreading over a surface of 130 square meters, 2 vertical axis wind turbines, 1 traction kite and 2 reversible electric motors of hydrogenation.
The expedition
Energy Observer will launch in winter 2017 for a series of tests at sea before its big departure from Saint-Malo in the spring. It will call in at Paris for a first event where the boat will be officially baptised. This event will celebrate the start of a six-year expedition, scheduled from 2017 to 2022, visiting 50 countries and 101 ports of call including: historical ports, wildlife sanctuaries, natural reserves, endangered ecosystems and international events. This expedition has for goal to reconcile ecology and technology and to prove that it is possible to reduce our impact on the environment without reducing our comfort
