HaveBlue 'XN-1'

[GordMay]

From "Trade Only Today"

Contract awarded for hydrogen demo boat

HaveBlue LLC of Ventura, Calif., has reached an agreement with Texaco Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC to have the company provide the developmental metal hydride hydrogen storage system for HaveBlue’s XN-1 marine hydrogen fuel technology demonstration vessel.

The first of its kind, the XN-1 is a modified Catalina 42 mk II, provided by program sponsor Catalina Yachts, that will use hydrogen energy produced through renewable resources to deliver all required power and propulsion. HaveBlue says the XN-1 program is the first example of a critical early adapter market in the practical application of hydrogen as a transportation fuel.

“Sailing yachts are the perfect early adopter of hydrogen as a fuel, and we believe that the vast majority will be ideal for application of metal hydride hydrogen storage technology like the systems produced by Texaco Ovonic Hydrogen Systems,” Craig Schmitman, president of HaveBlue, said in a statement.

HaveBlue’s patented propulsion and power generation system produces renewable hydrogen from purified sea water using clean energy power sources such as solar panels, wind generators and regenerative electric drive motors. The company has teamed with Catalina Yachts to build its first full-scale technology demonstrator. The XN-1 will complete testing and public demonstrations through 2004, with the goal of limited retail availability in 2005.
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