The Energy Observer is the first vessel of its kind - powered by the sun, wind and hydropower while relying on lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen as storage solutions.
The vessel was repurposed from a racing catamaran that was built in 1983. The idea of the Energy Observer project was founded in 2013 by Victorien Erussard, a merchant navy officer and ocean racer. He is now captain of the vessel, which eventually set sail with a team of scientists, sailors and engineers from Saint-Malo, France, in 2017.
The Energy Observer has demonstrated the feasibility of the different technologies, having sailed"many miles, for many years," explained Cordiano. The Energy Observer has sailed more than 50 000 nautical miles or 92 600km and has stopped in Paris, London, the Galapagos, San Francisco, Singapore and the Arctic Circle. It has visited over 40 countries. The seven-year journey is expected to be completed in 2024.Hydrogen is an energy storage solution for the vessel. It is also kitted a fuel cell, 1400kg of batteries and has a compressor and desalinator to make hydrogen out of seawater.
Olver said that through these consultations, some NGOs and the faith community had raised concerns over the safety and environmental impacts of hydrogen. Part of this concern was because of a lack of information and awareness, Olver said.