UNESCO joins Energy Observer, the first hydrogen ship

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by schakel, Feb 23, 2017.

  1. schakel
    Joined: Jul 2008
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    A floating research promotion project;
    The Energy Observer
    Site is in french but google translate still works.
    http://www.energy-observer.org/#home
    The Project:
    csm_Energy_Observer2_6dbfaaad541487560502.jpg
    csm_Energy_Observer1_6221c853141487560502.jpg
    THE FIRST HYDROGEN VESSEL AROUND THE WORLD
    Drawing our energy from nature, without damaging it, and without wasting it, is our vision of the future, and that is the vision we want to share throughout the world.

    A challenge both human and technological, that started the Energy Observer team, the first autonomous boat in energy and without emission of greenhouse gases nor fine particles, propelled to the hydrogen and to the renewable energies , Thanks to the energy mix.

    There is no silver bullet to fight against global warming: there are solutions, which we must learn to make work between them. This is what we do with Energy Observer: to bring together the energies of nature, but also of our society, bringing together around this boat, the know-how of companies, laboratories, start-ups and institutions.

    Victorien Erussard
    energy observer.jpg
    The Boat
    Former racing boat, this outstanding competitor is preparing to open a new path: that of autonomous navigation with hydrogen. The challenge of architects, engineers and navigators: to aim for autonomy thanks to the energy mix and the carbon-free production of hydrogen from seawater.

    Energy Observer is a two-way reconversion: recycle a racing catamaran, lightweight and reliable, recordmaker around the world and thus allow investing in research and development, rather than in the composite

    A question from me: What was this former racing boat called in the past?
    energy observer 2.jpg
    The hydrogen production,storage and power generating development

    Given the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the development of renewable energies is the way forward. However, since these are inherently variable and intermittent, they require the development and optimization of energy storage facilities.

    Among them, hydrogen (H), the most abundant chemical element in the universe, demonstrates each day a little more its immense potential as a way of storage and valorisation of renewable energies.
    The challenge of the 21st century: learn how to produce it at a lower cost and in a way that is decarbonized. It is in this research and development process that the Energy Observer project is being carried out, to prove the performance of this new energy model, and thus serve as an example, all over the world.

    Video presentation in french with a desciption of how the hybrid systems are supposed to work and a desciption of the world harbors they will bring a visit with this vessel.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPw2VV_2ZVU
     
    Manfred.pech likes this.
  2. schakel
    Joined: Jul 2008
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    schakel environmental project Msc

  3. brian eiland
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    Location: St Augustine Fl, Thailand

    brian eiland Senior Member

    This vessel concept was posted over on the random picture thread, and me and a few other forum members thought the concept was too interesting to just get lost in the rabble over there.

    So schakel has been so kind as to start a new subject thread on it for others that might find the vessel, and the technology of powering it of interest.
     
  4. brian eiland
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    brian eiland Senior Member

    BTW another interested member (and great contributor) has offered a way to see that video above in english
     
  5. Rurudyne
    Joined: Mar 2014
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    Location: North Texas

    Rurudyne Senior Member

    I've mentioned hydrogen generation, stored in metal hydride, on a number of occasions.

    For a boat used intermittently, like most recreational boats, conversion from gas can be accomplished and solar power used on land for recharging the canisters.

    The following link describes such usage and the big issue to work around (it's legal, not really technical): http://youtu.be/rfBdPKxk35k

    For a boat going longer distances like the great loop (still stop and go, rather than all or mostly go) I've stated my interest in generating hydrogen from solar, which can be done while the boat is at anchor and using that as a burning agent in addition to the fuel in the ICE engine. Naturally, such a plant may be of limited capacity compared to a land based one ... but this isn't so much about fully refueling as extending range when away from your base, having started with fully fueled canisters.

    Also, if available, shore power may be obviously used to extend hydrogen generation beyond what solar can do.

    I'm dubious of wind generation of electricity for this purpose (providing electricity to generate hydrogen rather than just trickling power back to the batteries with a small windmill), at least for a boat underway, when compared to directly driving a prop from large windmills. I say this for similar reasons why I look askance at efforts to generate hydrogen to burn in the engine with electricity from your alternator. Yes, the wind is free but so is the drag that comes with the windmill.
     
  6. JosephT
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    Location: Roaring Forties

    JosephT Senior Member

    Excellent to see a hydrogen project. The hydrogen components look expensive though. Is that the case? If the costs of the hydrogen + solar power generation systems are within reason it could be commercially viable. On the hull, there is not a lot of drag on the twin hulls so that will improve efficiency.

    One might ask though: Why not a sailing yacht with solar + wind + hydro generation?

    We see some boats doing this today. In the end it will come down to cost and how well the systems perform overall.
     
  7. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    Cost effectiveness versus low carbondioxide emmisions is a contradiction.
    As long as there are people willing to pay a lot of money for expensive motoryachts, or even superyachts, money isn't the determinating factor.

    Here is a list of components that I would consider for the configuration of this ship.
    Highly effective solarcells,
    hydrogen generation cells,
    safe hydrogen storage,
    a combustionengine for hydrogen
    or even more innovative, a fuel cell that delivers electricity combined with electrical power to the propellors.
    Not to forget a desalination water generator that's most energy and cost effective.

    That's a mayor engineering challenge.
     
  8. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    The M/Y "Throw Money At It" :D
     
  9. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    Still less money then a campain in Vendee globe, Volvo Ocean race, or America's Cup.
    Or when it comes to motor yachts, the avarage superyacht will cost more.
    1 mln euro per meter, so a superyacht of around 30 meters costs 30 mln.
    http://dutchmegayachts.com/three-30-meter-100-ft-projects-underway-at-feadship/
    And this ship has low operating cost since it makes it's own fuel.:)
     
  10. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    The UN has found yet another way to waste(mostly US) taxpayer dollars on a pipedream.
     
  11. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    The races you mention are paid for voluntarily, not by a gov using confiscated money.
     
  12. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    I'm pretty cynical: the UN blatantly wasting money is better than them trying to do good.

    It's like how I'm very supportive of politicians playing a round, when it comes to golf so it's three words (playing a round) rather than two (playing around), because time they spend not working helps reduce the damage they do. Congresscritters should be required to play a round every day. Twice a day if they have seniority or are in leadership.

    If they super serial promised to do no work whatsoever and also avoid lobbyist like the plague I'd be okay with sending them to live in some tropical paradise all expenses paid for 44 weeks of the year, with 4 weeks to pass a budget and 4 weeks for Christmas vacation. ;)
     
  13. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    If the US of A only paid their contribution money to the UN this would be true.
    But they don't
    usvtotalgraph.gif
    Screenshot-2015-09-14-at-3.20.41-PM.png
    http://untribune.com/as-obama-heads-to-general-assembly-us-debt-to-un-balloons-to-3-billion/
    Investing in research and development of Carbon Dioxide zero emmision energy resources is usefull. It prevents global warming.

    In China they invest in hydrogen as a clean fuel as we speak.
    http://ulemco.com/?p=2503
    This to prevent further smog in the mayor cities.
    Beijing_pollution.jpg

    The energy observer has two mayor sponsors:
    logo-accor.png
    http://www.accorhotels-group.com/en.html
    thelem.jpg
    https://www.thelem-assurances.fr/

    Unesco is only involved as educational participant
     
  14. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    CO2 doesn't cause global warming and smog isn't CO2.
     

  15. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Zero emissions equals zero industry.
     
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