Webcast
What is the future of hydrogen in recreational boating?
Event date
21 February 2024
Is hydrogen the energy of the future for the marine industry?
In this latest Nautic Broadcast, we’ll be welcoming Romain Motteau and Mathieu Fountaine, both Deputy CEOs at Fountaine Pajot, and they’ll be presenting their decarbonisation strategy for the shipyard. We’ll hear about the launch of the Samana 59 Smart Electric X RexH2, the world’s first production cruising catamaran to feature 100% electric propulsion using hydrogen as its energy source. This system and prototype boat were developed jointly by the Fountaine Pajot and EODev teams as part of the Fountaine Pajot Odysséa 2024 plan to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030.
Where does the project stand today?
What are the issues surrounding the use of hydrogen as an energy source in the boating world of today and tomorrow? What were the challenges involved in launching such a project? What are the industrial constraints? This edition of our Nautic Broadcast aims to answer all these questions, by giving the floor to three key players in the genesis of the Samana 59 Smart Electric X RexH2.
Among them is Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO of EODev, a company specialising in the production of energy from hydrogen. He will be talking to us about the technical operation of the hydrogen fuel cell equipping the Samana 59 prototype, as well as his company’s collaboration with the Fountaine Pajot teams. This broadcast will also look at the commitments of Magnus Lewin, CEO of Tradewinds, a charter company that is pioneering eco-responsible boating and the first owner of this hydrogen-powered Samana 59. Finally, we’ll be giving the floor to Louis-Noël Viviès, General Manager of Energy Observer, the pioneering eco-responsible experimental boat of the same name that has been cruising the world’s oceans for several years now. He will be talking more specifically about the future of hydrogen energy in the marine industry, the challenges of producing it as ecologically as possible, and the need to develop a recharging network in marinas. Find all the answers to your questions in this Nautic Broadcast, dedicated to the role of hydrogen in the boating sector:
Nautic Broadcast by Fountaine Pajot
What energy for the future of pleasure boating?
Time 24:50
An easy-to-use system combining energy sources.
The Samana 59 Smart Electric X REXH2, named after the electro-hydrogen generator it carries, the REXH2, is now able to offer a 100% zero-emission navigation experience. Its system is based on 3 operating modes:
The first mode allows the Samana 59 to be used in 100% electric mode. Its on-board battery of 60 kw/h, powered by a very large surface of solar panels of 42m² and a capacity of 8500 watts, as well as its hydraulic energy function, like the Aura 51 Smart Electric, allows it to be autonomous at anchor and during several hours when sailing.
The second mode of operation integrates, in addition, hydrogen as a source of energy storage and thus allows for hybrid electro-hydrogen operation. Hydrogen, under pressure, feeds a fuel cell with a capacity of 70kw which will supply electricity to the electric motors. This fuel cell technology, in addition to being an efficient decarbonisation solution, allows for an increased life span of the system, equivalent to 3 times the life span of traditional diesel equipment. In use, the operation remains similar to that of a conventional hydrogen hybrid car, with recharging possibility at port via hydrogen terminals. This mode, coupled with the use of solar panels and hydrogen generation, provides a comfortable autonomy at anchor for several weeks, and 5 hours of motor navigation at a speed of 7 knots.
The third mode is Diesel Hybrid operation. The Samana 59 Smart Electric X REXH2 has a back-up generator that will take over during situations that require prolonged use of the engines with no possibility of recharging with hydrogen.
