FRANCE (Reuters) — France’s environment minister Nicolas Hulot unveiled on Thursday (July 6) the “Energy Observer” vessel, as it prepared to embark on an intercontinental odyssey.
It is the world’s first boat to be powered solely by renewable energy and hydrogen, designed to spark an exchange about innovative ideas to address climate change.
The vessel departed from the French port town of Saint-Malo on June 26, and took a week and a half to dock at the Seine River in the the French capital, the first stop of its national tour before sailing overseas.
The “Energy Observer” is covered in solar panels and has two wind turbines on either side of the cabin to power it.
However, when there is no sun or wind, the boat will use hydrogen as a fuel, generated by electrolysis, powered by the renewable energies themselves.
Hydrogen is created by splitting water molecules, pumped in from the sea, by passing an electric current through the liquid.
These are then compressed and fed into the boat’s motor.
This hydrogen element is what sets the ship apart from its other zero-emission, energy-autonomous competitors.
“Energy Observer” is the product of a five-year project conceived by former French navy officer and now the boat’s captain, Victorien Erussard.
Together with his friend, documentary filmmaker and scuba diver, Jacques Delafosse, the two men are embarking on a round-the-world trip that is set to last six years.
The crew plans to make 101 stop-overs in 50 countries, stopping to raise awareness about the innovative project along the way.
The research, development and construction of the project cost 5 million euros (5.7 million US dollars), funded by various sponsors such as AccorHotels and Delanchy Transports amongst others.
To keep up momentum on the Paris climate agreement, Hulot announced on Thursday that France aims to end the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040 and become carbon neutral 10 years later.
