yacht hydrogen fuel cell

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Central Park Tower
• Hong Kong – All Around
• Hong Kong at Night
• Raffles Hotels & Resorts
• Ron Carupano
• Scott Dunn Private
• Villa Haven
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht Just Hit the Water

Project 821 uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity., rachel cormack.

Digital Editor

Rachel Cormack's Most Recent Stories

• Meet the 5 Entrepreneurs That Could Be the Next Big Names in Global Luxury
• An NBA Reporter Said Jayson Tatum’s $200,000 Richard Mille Looks Like a ‘Kids Watch’
• Numarine Just Unveiled Its First Hybrid Explorer Yacht
• Share This Article

A hydrogen-powered superyacht may sound like a far-off sci-fi fantasy, but Feadship has made it a reality.

Related Stories

• How the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Captures the Golden Age of American Cars
• The New 1,064 HP Chevy Corvette Is the Fastest to 60 MPH in Model History
• This $1.6 Million New Supercar Is De Tomaso’s Latest Comeback Bid

Five years in the making, Project 821 is at the bleeding edge of marine innovation. Designed by British studio RWD, the vessel uses hydrogen to power both the propulsion system and hotel load to eliminate carbon emissions. The 290-footer is also the largest yacht built by Feadship to date, meaning it could easily hold the requisite fuel cells, battery banks, and hydrogen tanks.

For the unversed, fuel cells are a combustion-free way to generate electricity. The fuel cell turns hydrogen into electricity that can be used or stored in lithium-ion battery banks. The only emission is water vapor. The automotive and aerospace industries have already embraced fuel cells, but the marine sector had to overcome some design issues and safety regulations before incorporating the technology. How to store compressed liquid hydrogen below deck at -423.4 degrees Fahrenheit is one such hurdle Feadship had to overcome.

Hydrogen is light but must be held in large, cumbersome tanks. In fact, Feadship says it takes eight to 10 times more space to store the hydrogen than the equivalent in diesel fuel. In the case of Project 821, the yard added 13 feet to the vessel’s original length to accommodate a large tank that holds more than four tons of hydrogen, 16 compact fuel cells, and the vent stacks. Even a yacht of such proportions cannot carry enough liquid hydrogen to power a crossing, but there is enough to generate electricity for short trips and the hotel load. The fuel cell technology can provide an entire week’s worth of silent operation at anchor or allow the yacht to cruise emission-free at 10 knots for a short period.

In instances when pure hydrogen is not an option, MTU generators running on HVO biofuel will send power to the 3,200 kW ABB pod drives. As you might expect, the yacht features an advanced energy management system that helps reduce power usage onboard.

Project 821 is by no means short on luxury, either. Showcasing an elegant, modern silhouette, the behemoth offers five decks above the waterline and two below. It also has the most hull openings of any vessel in the Feadship fleet, with 14 balconies, five shell doors, and seven fold-out platforms.

Penned by GA, the elegant interior pairs a neutral palette with textured fabrics to create a luxe coastal vibe. The epic owner’s deck is equipped with two bedrooms, dual bathrooms, twin dressing rooms, a gym, a pantry, two offices with fireplaces, a living room, and an outdoor terrace with a Jacuzzi. The owner can then take a private elevator to the coffee corner and games area on the bridge deck, the library on the main deck, or the private dining room. In this way, Project 821 evokes a four-level townhouse by the sea.

The best part? ​​Project 821 is for sale with Edmiston.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

Read More On:

More marine.

This New 70-Foot Weekend Cruiser Has a Salon That Doubles as a Solarium

This Curvaceous 140-Foot Hybrid Catamaran Is Powered by AI

Forget Speed. Pershing’s New 80-Foot Yacht Is All About Comfort on the High Seas.

What It’s Like Aboard the ‘Queen Mary 2,’ the World’s Only Ocean Liner

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

The 7 Best Catamarans That Hit the Seas This Year

The 10 Largest Sailing Yachts on the High Seas, From Jeff Bezos’s ‘Koru’ to the Ultra-Modern ‘Black Pearl’

More from our brands, could chanel be the next star in jacob elordi’s handbag collection, what it means to ‘host’ a college football playoff game, nielsen makes paramount data less easy to analyze as measurement fight continues, nicholas galanin wins crystal bridges museum’s $200,000 prize, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

How hydrogen fuel cells could provide a truly clean energy source for yachts

• December 16, 2020

Rupert Holmes investigates the latest hydrogen fuel cells and asks if they could provide a clean electrical power source for yachts

Phil Sharp demonstrating hydrogen fuel cell technology aboard his Class 40 OceansLab. Photo: Olivier Blanchet

Nearly a decade ago there was plenty of talk about hydrogen fuel cells becoming the carbon-free future for the automotive industry, yet we rarely hear about it now. So what happened?

There are a number of reasons, including lower initial costs for battery powered vehicles in the early part of the electric vehicle revolution, and the high cost of platinum needed as a catalyst for fuel cells, which put the brakes on their adoption.

However, there are currently huge environmental and human costs in mining the cobalt used in lithium ion batteries – one of a number of factors that will make it difficult to scale existing technology up to several multiples of today’s level of production.

Test bed installation of a Genevos HPM-8 fuel cell. Photo: Gilles Delacuvellerie

Much hope for the future is pinned on improved battery chemistry and eye-watering amounts of money are being poured into this, but any potential game changing developments are still at the research stage and remain some way from becoming a commercial reality.

Lack of media attention, however, has not slowed the development of hydrogen power, which is widely seen as being easier to quickly scale up to many times the current level of production than battery power.

In October this year the French government, for instance, announced a €7 billion commitment to create 6.5 gigawatts of hydrogen power capability by 2030. That’s equivalent to the total output of all six gas turbine power stations commissioned in the UK in the last decade.

Article continues below…

How hybrid sailing yachts finally became a feasible option

Every sailor is familiar with the wet cough of the diesel engine, and the acrid smell of its exhaust. For…

Lithium boat batteries: Why now is the right time to upgrade your electrics

Larger new cruising yachts, especially those at the quality end of the market, have been routinely fitted with lithium boat…

Equally, American engine and power plant manufacturer Cummins has a 20 year history of developing hydrogen fuel cells. Its latest move, announced in September, was the acquisition of hydrogen generation and fuel cell manufacturer Hydrogenics in a US$290 million deal. At the same time, infrastructure for hydrogen is improving across Europe, albeit from a low base, and BMW, Toyota and Hyundai all have hydrogen powered cars in the pipeline.

Hydrogen fuel cells are no longer technology that will become available at some unspecified time in the future – they’re here today. Canadian fuel cell specialist Ballard Power Systems, for instance, has already supplied systems for vehicles that have travelled a cumulative 20 million miles.

Why is this relevant to sailing? The leisure marine industry is tiny by comparison to other sectors, so doesn’t have the resources to develop technologies from scratch. However, good ideas from other fields can be adapted and harnessed for use on board.

Green hydrogen

Hydrogen gas is in effect stored energy and therefore requires a significant energy input to create it. The production of green (ie. eco-friendly) hydrogen therefore requires renewable sources of electricity such as wind and solar and can be rapidly ramped up and down to smooth peaks and troughs in the output.

Genevos HPM-8 fuel cell system is housed in a composite module for protection against the harsh marine environment

Genevos HPM-8 hydrogen fuel cell

Successful solo offshore racer Phil Sharp is at the forefront of developing hydrogen fuel cells for yachts. His 8kW HPM-8 (Hydrogen Power Module) is of a size that will solve range problems for yachts of around 40ft with electric propulsion motors of up to 15kW.

“The idea is it will act as a significant range extender for boats with electric propulsion,” says Sharp. The standard battery bank can therefore be used for propulsion over short distances, such as entering and leaving port, and can be replenished with regeneration while sailing, via solar power or when next in port and connected to shore power. The hydrogen power can therefore be kept in reserve for motoring greater distances, such as sailing across the Channel when there’s no wind.

Equally, the HPM-8 is a suitable size for larger yachts to use as an auxiliary generator. Sharp started optimising this unit around the needs of the IMOCA 60 and Class 40 rules, with the idea that these vessels would provide excellent test beds and proof of concept for a rugged, marinised hydrogen fuel cell.

Offshore solo racer Phil Sharp has developed the Genevos HPM-8 fuel cell. Photo: Gilles Delacuvellerie

All components are neatly contained in a composite module, where they are protected from salt water that may cause corrosion and oxidisation. The unit is therefore a neat plug-and-play device, incorporating all the necessary control, cooling and ventilation elements, plus regulated battery charging that acts as an additional layer to the vessel’s own battery management system. It’s connected directly to the boat’s batteries and electric motors.

Typically the hydrogen cylinder will be a carbon fibre tank permanently fitted to the boat, in much the same way that LPG powered vehicles have a permanently fitted gas tank.

This standardised modular format also simplifies both installation and maintenance, making it easier for installers to become certified, which in turn improves after-sales service and helps allay safety concerns.

Output is 48V, which matches that of many electric drive units and can be easily scaled down to 12V or 24V if necessary, or indeed up to higher voltages. The stack has a lifespan rated at more than 10,000 hours of use, after which reconditioning/refurbishment is possible instead of outright replacement.

How hydrogen fuel cells work

The key to any fuel cell is this so-called ‘stack’ where the platinum catalyst separates hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons, thus creating a current between anode and cathode. The hydrogen combines with oxygen from air supplied to the stack to produce water – the only by-product of the process.

“Safety is always a primary concern,” Sharp told me when I visited him at EIGSI, the general engineering school of La Rochelle University, where the design of the unit was finalised and tested. “There are already a lot of stringent safety standards in place for hydrogen fuel cells on board ships,” he adds, “so we were able to use those as a reference for smaller vessels.”

He therefore believes the systems developed for the safety of onboard hydrogen fuel cells go beyond those used for gas systems on yachts. The HPM unit includes a hydrogen detector interfaced with a solenoid valve to automatically shut off the hydrogen supply at the tank in the event of a leak.

Sharp also points out that the hydrogen is so light that, unlike propane or butane, it wants to escape upwards providing there’s ventilation for an escape route. Even so, in the power module the wiring and contacts carrying high current are housed in a separate sealed compartment.

Even when made of carbon fibre, the hydrogen tank is heavy, weighing close to 100kg for a tank that will hold 6kg of hydrogen. However, when you consider the inefficiencies inherent in diesel engines, this tank has the equivalent useable energy to roughly 50 litres of diesel.

For a hydrogen fuel cell-powered boat, eliminating the weight of a diesel motor means the total system weight equals that of a conventional diesel powered vessel when fuelled for a 100-mile range, but is a whopping 65-70% lighter than the lithium-ion batteries that would be needed to motor that distance on a 40ft yacht.

The HPM-8 is currently going through the type approval process. When that’s complete in the early part of 2021 it will be manufactured in La Rochelle, where Sharp’s company Genevos has facilities and support on tap to quickly scale up production.

On the downside, as with other emerging technologies, until production volumes ramp up early units will be expensive. Depending on their location the lack of a comprehensive hydrogen grid may also be a problem for some users. However, the billions being poured into the infrastructure will rapidly change this over the next five years, in a similar manner to when LPG became readily available for road vehicles two or three decades ago.

A reality of being able to fill up a hydrogen tank on a boat, in a similar fashion to filling with petrol or diesel, is therefore closer than most of us expect. Sharp says the scale of investment is such that there will be a good green hydrogen network within the next five years.

Currently the retail cost of green hydrogen is around €10 per kilo. That may sound expensive, but then consider marine diesel engines are hugely inefficient, especially in smaller sizes. What’s more, a kilogram of hydrogen contains three times as much useable energy as a kilo of diesel.

Therefore at around €60 the fuel cost of motoring for 100 miles in a 40ft yacht with electric propulsion is already in the same ball park as diesel power and with costs of hydrogen fuel cells dropping rapidly it will not be long before the new technology is more economic.

Energy Observer has been trialling wing sail, solar and hydrogen fuel cell propulsion

Energy Observer Developments

Many other organisations are operating in this space. Frenchman Victorien Erussard, a former merchant officer and Offshore sailor (Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre), bought the Energy Observer ,  catamaran as a floating laboratory to demonstrate the potential of renewable power.

This project led to the formation of Energy Observer Developments, which has raised €20 million of seed funding to develop commercial products in the hydrogen sphere. It offers a fully marinised 80kW hydrogen fuel cell system designed in partnership with Toyota. Up to 10 of these can be linked together to produce an immense 800kW of power at 600V. The units can either be used as range extenders for propulsion applications or as silent emission-free generators for the hotel loads of superyachts and other vessels of similar size.

Energy Observer Developments has also developed a plug-and-play floating hydrogen refuelling dock that’s able to electrolyse up to 200kg of hydrogen fuel from water every day.

Toyota hydrogen fuel cell system

Ultimate vision

While it makes sense to start with a relatively small unit that’s optimised for the market and types of use with which Sharp is most familiar, his ambition is to play a role in decarbonising the shipping industry as a whole, since it has greater carbon emissions than aviation.

Larger units are already planned, with 30kW and 50kW modules scheduled for launch in late 2021 and a 200kW model in 2023. These will be proportionately less expensive than the HPM-8 as the price per kW of power output is substantially less for larger fuel cells. At the same time, as the industry expands and volumes grow, the very high component costs are forecast to rapidly reduce, which in turn will open the market up to a wider audience.

The initial focus, however, remains on getting the smaller units into the field. Sharp says he’s already talking to a large catamaran builder and builders of high speed ferries, but is still looking for partners in the sailing, motorboat and river taxi arenas. “Above all,” he says, “this is not tomorrow’s technology. It’s here today and we’re aiming to get it into the marine market as quickly as possible.”

Pricing of the HPM-8 will be announced when it’s launched in the spring of 2021.

Genevos HPM-8 specifications

Continuous power: 8kW Output: 48V Peak efficiency: 55% Expected lifespan: >10,000 hours Weight: 55kg Size: 900x650x300mm

This is Sharp’s racing and demonstration arm, which currently includes his successful Class 40 OceansLab (formerly Imerys ). Looking ahead, he is actively seeking partners to demonstrate the technology on an IMOCA 60 around the world. “Our mission is to stimulate the uptake of hydrogen technology in the marine sector,” he says. “We know it’s vital for decarbonisation and with these raceboats we can demonstrate it’s viable and reliable.”

First published in the December 2020 issue of Yachting World

Feadship Launches First Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Yacht

Feadship has launched the first superyacht with zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cells at its Amsterdam yard. The legendary Dutch builder says this is the first hydrogen-powered superyacht in the world and represents five years of R&D. It’s 390-feet long and called Project 821.

The hydrogen fuel cells can’t power the yacht across the Atlantic, but they can provide enough power to run the hotel load (including heat, air conditioning and other amenities) for a week without introducing any noise or carbon emissions.

“The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world,” said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, a Feadship Director and CEO of the Royal Van Lent Shipyard. The new yacht, he said. “showcases the pinnacle of modern technological advancements.”

The new Feadship’s cryogenic fuel tank holds four tons of hydrogen in 16 compact fuel cells with switchboard connection to the DC electrical grid. The only exhaust from hydrogen power is pure water, but the vent stacks for the escaping water vapor added 13 feet to the yacht’s overall length.

Courtesy of Headship

The superyacht industry estimates that about 75 percent of a yacht’s total energy use in a year is to supply the hotel load. Supplying that energy with clean hydrogen fuel cells can have a significant impact on the environment.

The problem that Feadship faced in designing the yacht was how to store compressed liquid hydrogen below deck on a luxury yacht. Hydrogen itself is light, but storing it requires a double-walled cryogenic storage tank, basically a well-insulated cooling box in a dedicated room. It takes eight to ten times more space to store hydrogen than the energy equivalent in diesel fuel.

Aside from the history-making hydrogen fuel cell situation, Project 821 is a remarkable yacht. It has five decks above the waterline and two below, and can hold 30 guests in 14 staterooms with 44 crew. The owner’s deck above the bridge is an apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gym, two offices, a fireplace and a living room.

The yacht is represented by Edmiston. Price: $647 million.

Read more at  https://www.feadship.nl/press/feadship-ushers-in-the-fuel-cell-era-with-the-launch-of-118-80-metre-project-821

About Author

Related Posts

Zipwake Dynamic Trim Tabs Dampen Pitch and Roll

A Pure Passagemaker, the Hardy 50DS Is Expedition Ready

Introducing the Innovative, New Makai 37 Power Cat

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• BOAT Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Subscriber Login

Landmark 119m fuel-cell Feadship superyacht Project 821 completes sea trials

The 118.8-metre Feadship Project 821 has completed her inaugural sea trials near the town of IJmuiden, Amsterdam. The world's first fuel-cell-powered superyacht, Project 821 hit the water this May and joined the market with Edmiston shortly after.

The breakthrough project stores liquid hydrogen on board (in temperatures below -253°C) and uses a fuel cell source to generate electricity for both hotel load and coastal navigations. The project required significant development in regulations for "hydrogen storage and fuel-cell systems at class, flag-state [and] IMO level", according to the yard. Exterior and interior design is owed to British studio RWD .

"The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project," said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship director and CEO at Royal Van Lent Shipyard, "but for the world."

As well as the yacht’s green credentials, she also marks the largest motor yacht ever launched in the Netherlands, eclipsing the 118.8-metre Launchpad with around "30 per cent more volume".

Project 821 includes amenities such as a semi-submerged Neptune lounge, cinema, library, hospital facility and 8.2-metre pool with contraflow. Light-enhancing features include an atrium with a staircase that wraps around the elevator and floor-to-ceiling windows with clear glass balustrades that offer unobstructed views.

The yacht borrows "Nikki Beach" style cues and has been designed to feel like a "secluded, four-level townhouse by the sea". Accommodation is for a total of 30 people thanks to 12 cabins – although this can be configured to account for smaller parties – and includes intimate spaces like a coffee corner and games niche.

Charlie Baker, director at RWD, said the British studio was "immensely proud to have been involved in such a forward-thinking project". "We hope it inspires other projects to think differently in the future," he added.

For the interior, the "coastal" ambience was created with textured fabrics and leathers, marble, rattan, fumed and taupe eucalyptus, and limed oak. For the exterior, RWD worked with Feadship to install more hull openings than the yard had ever attempted before – including fourteen balconies and seven unfolding platforms – and condense the yacht’s huge volume into a "sleek" package.

"From the beginning, one of the biggest hurdles would be developing a reasonable way to store compressed liquid hydrogen," explained a representative from Feadship. "Hydrogen is light. However, safely storing it on a vessel requires a double-walled cryogenic storage tank (a large very well-insulated cooling box in a dedicated room).

"Together, it takes eight to ten times more space to store hydrogen than the energy equivalent in diesel fuel."

Project 821 has a 92-square-metre storage space for hydrogen, and this space, plus the vent stacks for the escaping water vapour (the exhaust of this process), added four metres to the yacht's original specification length. However, in the future, this could be used for easier-to-store methanol, a liquid fuel in ambient conditions.

While Feadship noted that "even a yacht the size of Project 821 cannot carry enough liquid hydrogen to power a crossing," the yard could still minimise the yacht's hotel load emissions, which, according to the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI), makes up around 70-78 per cent of a yacht's total energy use per year.

Jamie Edmiston, CEO at Edmiston called the project  "the best yacht ever built".  "The brief was to build the greenest and most environmentally advanced yacht ever built, without compromise. The yacht we see today, designed by RWD and built by Feadship, is without doubt the best yacht ever built. I am proud to have been involved since the inception of this idea", he said. 

In terms of power and propulsion, the yacht has two 900kW MTU generators, three 2,500kW MTU generators and 16 185kW PowerCell H2 generators. Key numbers for Project 821 include a 6,500 nautical mile range at 14 knots and a 19-metre beam.

Project 821 will be a valuable stepping stone towards Feadship's pledge to develop "net zero" yachts by 2030. Jan-Bart Verkuyl said that fuel cells will play an important role for yachts in the years to come. "We have now shown that cryogenic storage of liquified hydrogen in the interior of a superyacht is a viable solution. Future innovations on fuel cells and onboard reforming of methanol to hydrogen are on the near horizon."

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More about this yacht

Similar yachts for sale, more stories, most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

Inside world’s first ever $1 billion hydrogen superyacht – and it’s linked to Bill Gates

The world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht has been unveiled in Amsterdam. It has taken Feadship 5 years to deliver Project 821, reportedly commissioned by Bill Gates.

Project 821 features 12 guest staterooms, two staff cabins, accommodation for 44 crew members, a hospital, library, elevator, cinema, pool with a moveable glass bottom, multiple hot tubs, steam room, a gym, separate owners deck with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two offices, and fourteen slide-out balconies.

What makes the Project 821 Feadship superyacht truly exceptional, however, is it is hydrogen-powered.

Jamie Edmiston, the CEO of yacht brokerage company Edmiston, represents the owner and is brokering the sale for a reported $1-billion. Edmiston says no expense was spared to build the groundbreaking vessel.

“The brief was to build the greenest and most environmentally advanced yacht ever built, without compromise,” says Edmiston. “It was a huge challenge, but one that the team has embraced and delivered on. The yacht we see today, designed by RWD and built by Feadship is without doubt the best yacht ever built. I am proud to have been involved since the inception of this idea.”

Neither Edmiston nor Feadship have revealed who commissioned the superyacht. eSysman Superyachts reported in April that it belongs to Bill Gates.

Jan-Bart Verkuyl, the CEO of Feadship Royal Van Lent shipyard, says pushing green superyacht technology as far as it could go was the mandate to develop of the vessel.

 “The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world,” Verkuyl says. Feadship has pledged to develop ‘net-zero’ yachts by 2030 and has an R&D team researching hydrogen and other fossil-fuel-free alternatives.

“The size of the proposed yacht – 100-metres-plus – made it a good candidate to explore pure green hydrogen as the fuel-cell source,” a Feadship statement reads.

“Even a yacht the size of  Project 821  cannot carry enough liquid hydrogen to power a crossing, but Feadship could impact a yacht’s carbon footprint where it is largest — generating electricity to serve the hotel load,” according to Feadship.

A yacht’s hotel load represents 70-78 per cent of a yacht’s annual total energy and heating and air conditioning make the largest demands, Feadship states. Air conditioning is a significant energy consumer on yachts, according to research from a maritime industry body .

“Supplying that electrical power via non-polluting hydrogen fuel cells has a swift and significant impact,” according to Feadship.

“Although there are hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars, and fuel cells have been used as the primary source of electrical power on human spaceflight for more than six decades, nothing existed in the maritime sector. There were no regulations for hydrogen storage and fuel-cell systems at class, flag-state or even the International Maritime Organisation level,” Feadship states.

Feadship, Edmiston and Lloyd’s Register developed new equipment, protocols and regulations for hydrogen to be used in the maritime industry. Feadship states that hydrogen fuel cells have water as their only exhaust, and are a combustion-free way to generate electricity.

“Project 821 features the most efficient waste heat recovery system yet developed, a system heating everything from the pool, Jacuzzi and steam room to the ambient air temperature and towel bars and floors in the guest bathrooms. Further savings in the hotel load will come from a Smart AC system linking sensors to an energy management system that automatically reduces air conditioning or heating in unoccupied guest spaces,” Feadship states.

When pure hydrogen is not available, electricity is generated by MTU generators combusting a biofuel said to reduce emissions by 90 per cent.

The work that has been done to deliver the no-expense-spared Project 821 superyacht is now being used for other vessels.

“The value of the research as well the development of class and flag safety regulations for an entirely new type of energy generation is an advancement we are proud to have made available to all,” says Verkuyl.

In 2025, two Norwegian ferries will operate using the system developed for Project 821.

Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world.  Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here   or  become a member here.

More from Forbes Australia

Australian green hydrogen startup banks $172 million, sets national Series B record

Why Brisbane to Melbourne high-speed freight rail line is a ‘no brainer’

‘Australia is the Saudi Arabia for green hydrogen’: Fortescue Future Industries CEO

• Green Propulsion
• Renewable Energy
• Energy efficiency
• Sustainable materials
• Eco Insights
• News & Events
• Sunreef News Magazine
• Press About Sunreef

• 60 Sunreef Power
• 70 Sunreef Power
• 80 Sunreef Power
• 100 Sunreef Power
• Ultima Range
• Sunreef fleet

• Sunreef 100 Infinity
• Sunreef 100
• Sunreef Fleet

• Sunreef 35M
• Sunreef 43M
• 49M Sunreef Power
• 210 Sunreef Power Trimaran
• Sunreef Explorer
• 40M Sunreef Explorer
• 40M Sunreef Explorer Eco
• 50M Sunreef Explorer
• Superyachts Fleet

Hydrogen Yachts: An Innovation Powered by The Cleanest Fuel for Zero-Emission Voyages

The consumption of renewable sources of energy remains at the forefront of sustainable yachting as it offers a viable solution for reducing the overall carbon footprint. Recently, hydrogen yachts have emerged as a clean, green, and efficient medium for pursuing seafaring adventures.

Here is everything to know about hydrogen yachts:

The Pioneers of Hydrogen

Around the same time in the 18 th century, British scientist Henry Cavendish and French chemist Antoine Lavoisier first identified the unique element, i.e., hydrogen. Taking a few steps further, in 1839, a Welsh scientist named Sir William Grove discovered the first fuel cell which could combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity with water as the only byproduct – this came to be known as Grove’s Gas Battery.

Hydrogen has also been in use since the 1950s by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for space exploration . The ability of hydrogen to power fuel cells without generating air pollutants (that create smog) has remained the main driver of interest in hydrogen as a fuel alternative over the years.

With the launch of the world’s first hydrogen yacht in 2018, sustainable yachting enthusiasts showcased great interest in the concept. This was largely due to hydrogen yachts significant advantages over traditional yachts, i.e., more cost-effective operations and greater environmental friendliness. In all practicality, a fuel cell proved to be two to three times more efficient in comparison to a gasoline powered internal combustion engine .

The Benefits of Hydrogen

1. economically viable.

One of the most obvious benefits of opting for a hydrogen yacht is that hydrogen fuel is far cheaper than petrol or diesel because hydrogen is the most abundant element in the world. It is said to continue at this rate in the future as production increases with technological advancements .

It is also noteworthy that a hydrogen yacht is more affordable than a traditional yacht, making it ideal for eco-conscious yachters who hope to make the most of long-distance voyages without breaking the bank.

2. Environmentally Friendly

Best believe hydrogen yacht sailors are also spared of pollution taxation and related fees since hydrogen fuel cells emit little to no greenhouse gases with their limited usage of gasoline.

Hydrogen yachts being quieter are an added benefit for peaceful cruising without disturbing the wildlife; this is mainly a result of possessing fewer moving parts. Moreover, hydrogen yachts offer greater convenience as they can be operated for longer durations of time without the need for stopping to refuel or recharge.

3. Advanced Power Generation Compatibility

Contrary to belief, hydrogen yachts do not compromise speed and efficiency. Another crucial benefit of utilizing hydrogen is that it perfectly complements all other renewable sources of energy , be it wind power or solar energy. Further, hydrogen can be produced from water using renewable energy sources when production is high but may also be stored to generate electricity when demand is high, and resources are limited.

But How Do Fuel Cells Work?

Hydrogen yachts are powered by electrochemical cells, also known as fuel cells, which utilize the chemical energy trapped in fuels to produce electricity. In case of hydrogen, the conversion occurs as an effect of the combining of hydrogen with oxygen atoms which produces electricity, water, and heat.

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is known to be well-suited for powering hydrogen yachts as they are lightweight and require little maintenance. In terms of operations, fuel cells function similarly to batteries except they produce energy instead of storing energy. A typical fuel cell stack can provide electricity continuously for as long as the fuel is supplied.

Another crucial component of a hydrogen yacht is an electrolyzer that uses nuclear or renewable electricity to split hydrogen and water. The electrolyzer may be powered by a diesel generator or solar panels allowing it to stay operation even when the yacht is not in use.

The Preferred Course of Action

Each fuel cell consists of two electrodes (the positive cathode and the negative anode) sandwiched around an electrolyte. Oxygen is fed to the cathode, whereas the hydrogen to the anode. A catalyst at the anode separates the hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons, enabling each to take a different path towards the cathode.

For starters, the electrons migrate through the external circuit, encouraging a flow of electricity.  On the other hand, protons make their way to the cathode via the electrolyte, where they reunite with oxygen and electrons to produce water and heat.

Key Considerations for Installation

Hydrogen fuel cells have immense potential for efficiently storing energy for later production of electricity. However, it is vital to ensure the correct installation for all components onboard.

• Firstly, the fuel cell stack needs to be sized properly to ensure it can power the hydrogen yacht. Aside this, it must be properly sealed and insulated to stop the stack from overheating.
• Secondly, the electrolyzer must be placed in a similar environmental condition with ample supply of hydrogen and oxygen.
• Lastly, the hydrogen yacht must boast an adequate ventilation and exhaust system because hydrogen is a highly flammable; hence, the system must be cooled properly, and exhaust gases must be vented safely.

The fuel cells, electrolyzers, as well as ventilation and exhaust systems must be kept in top-notch condition. Failure to do so may result in decreased performance, increased emissions, and safety hazards. Regular inspection and servicing can help ensure all elements of the hydrogen yacht operate at peak efficiency, remain sustainable, and reduce the cost of ownership overtime.

Combining Hydrogen and Yachts

Hydrogen fuel cells are clean burning energy sources with a relatively high power-to-weight ratio, making them ideal for use in yachts where weight is a critical factor.

Increase in the usage of hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels can prevent nearly 60 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions by the middle of the 21 st century, directly addressing critical climate challenges. Moreover, in contrast to combustion engines, fuel cells operate at 60 percent higher efficiencies , enabling the conversion of chemical energy in the fuel to electrical efficiency directly.

Hydrogen Yachts by Sunreef Yachts Eco

The first of its kind, the Sunreef 80 Eco Hydrogen yacht is currently under development at the Gdansk shipyard . Hydrogen, as a fuel, will be stored in carbon tanks in their gaseous state onboard the luxury yacht.

All in all, the hydrogen yacht will feature a high-tech fuel cell worth 75kW, a hydrogeneration system, a custom battery bank of 440kWh, inhouse engineered solar system of 32kWp, and two 120kW electric motors. The electricity produced by the hydrogen fuel cell will be used to power the electric motors onboard to ensure minimum environmental impact and maximum energy efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What yachts are powered by hydrogen?

In response to the growing emphasis on sustainable yachting , Sunreef Yachts Eco is currently developing its first hydrogen-powered sailing catamaran in Gdansk, Poland – this will be called the Sunreef 80 Eco Hydrogen.  

• How much is the hydrogen powered yacht?

The Sunreef 80 Eco Hydrogen is priced at roughly about boasting six carbon tanks that contain 55 kilograms of compressed hydrogen (which sums up to 350bar to power the yacht’s engines as well as the appliances onboard. The hydrogen version of the bestselling sailing catamaran will work in harmony with hydrogeneration, electric motors, lithium batteries, and solar power.

• What is the range of a hydrogen boat?

Under favorable conditions, a fuel cell system is well equipped to provide the hydrogen yacht with approximately 500 miles of range using the hydrogen stored onboard alongside the additional power supply from the solar panels to the battery system.

Do you have any questions?

Contact us and we will respond within 2 working days.

Explore Our Catamarans

Latest news, sunreef superyacht expansion: first sunreef 35m eco-sold, sunreef yachts – the world’s youngest top builder of yachts above 24m, oceanway china yachts award – a spectacular victory for sunreef yachts, explore our catamarans, sailing yachts, power yachts, superyachts, previous post extreme e sustainable racing: rxr team to compete again with sunreef yachts partnership, next post palma international boat show.

Comments are closed.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

• Sailing Yachts
• Power Yachts
• Superyachts
• Making a Change
• Green Concept
• Energy Efficiency
• Sustainable Materials

Copyright © 2024 Sunreef Yachts . All rights reserved.

• Whistleblowing
• Privacy Policy

Sunreef Venture S.A.

Sunreef Yachts Shipyard

ul. Tarcice 6

80-718 Gdańsk, Poland

+48 58 769 77 77