Environment

Understanding environmental issues

For many years now, the various forms of pollution of our ecosystem have been on the increase.

To achieve a significant improvement in line with the needs of nature and the planet, we need to converge all sectors towards more sustainable practices. Managing one source of pollution will do nothing to solve our common problems, such as global warming, melting ice, air quality, species extinction and so on.

Together, with cohesion between sectors of activity and citizens, we can make progress.

As far as pollution linked to CO2 emissions is concerned, this accelerates the melting of ice and raises water levels by +3.5mm per year. Also, the discharge of wastewater and heavy metals from ships is damaging marine ecosystems. Fauna and flora are disappearing over the years.

For this reason, protected areas have been created, accessible only by boats equipped with environmentally-friendly engines and self-sufficient wastewater treatment systems.

Did you know ?

There are now almost 500 dead zones, covering more than 245,000 km2 worldwide - an area the size of the UK.

Let's talk hydrogen and electricity

In addition to synthetic fuels, biofuels and natural gas are used to make navigation more eco-responsible. Compressed air is also used in combustion engines.

Hydrogen

Everyone's talking about it, but what is it?

Its scientific name is "dihydrogen". It's a molecule in the form of a gas in its natural state, used either directly in an internal combustion engine, or to produce electricity (which will be the final fuel).

Hydrogen is said to be green when it requires no fossil resources to produce.

For example, hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water using green electricity is green.

It can be produced on land, at sea or even on board a boat. The necessary equipment is called an electrolyzer.

Hydrogen comes in two forms: gas and liquid.

It can be compressed at pressures ranging from 200 to 1000 bar.

There is also a technique for storing gaseous hydrogen in a liquid to reduce its flammability, but this is not liquid hydrogen; it is simply packaged.

Electricity

This energy source is much better known, but it makes perfect sense if it is also green.

For this purpose, there are certificates purchased by suppliers from manufacturers.

Electricity can be used directly with an electric motor and batteries or produced on an electro-hydrogen boat by a fuel cell (from hydrogen).

For these two energy sources, there are several qualification levels, the main ones being: green, blue or grey.

See hydrogen production by water electrolysis and the fuel cell

Burning 1 kg of hydrogen releases almost 4 times more energy than 1 kg of gasoline, and produces only water.

Did you know ?

I'd like to know how...

One of the main questions when considering which solution to adopt is: What's out there ?

Diesel and electric hybrids (already available)
Diesel and electro-hydrogen hybridization
Diesel and hydrogen hybridization
Hydrogen-electric hybrid
Hydrogen engine
Bio-fuel engine

For the hotel load section:

Diesel and hydrogen hybridization
Diesel and electric hybrid
hydrogen generator set
Biofuel generator

For fuelling stations :

Hydrogen fixed or mobile
Fixed electric vehicles with fast chargers
Electrical to the low voltage port
Biofuel in mobile solutions

To know more

What's important in the energy transition is to consider not only pollution at the point of use but also the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the product. Its entire production, use, and recycling cycle must be taken into account when choosing a sustainable solution.

So, how do we decide?

It depends on the use, the range, the top speed, the cruising speed, the desired energy consumption, and many other technical criteria.

And what is the point of reducing the use of diesel engines?

To reduce your carbon footprint, restrict the extraction of fossil fuels, preserve marine fauna and flora by polluting the waters less, and improve air quality.

Propulsion, but not only...

Unanimously, the most eco-friendly energy for sailing is wind.

However, in several situations, it is not feasible to have sails or to use them, such as in port for example.

The propulsion of a boat, whether sail or motor, can be modified and/or replaced with a more sustainable one in order to pollute less.

But, on larger ships like yachts, there is significant energy consumption for life on board (lighting, living areas, electronic devices, etc.).

And for this part too, it is possible to opt for more eco-friendly generators.

Furthermore, the energy needed for navigation can be obtained in ways other than recharging. These include solar energy capture, the use of water electrolysis, and energy recovery from movement.

Obviously, before any modification, biofuel is a first step towards decarbonization, and can be added to new technologies in the short and medium term.

Did you know ?

In 2020 in France, there were 300 light mooring and equipment zones (ZMEL) to reduce the number of anchor moorings.

In port and at sea

The transformation of the marine industry is causing the chicken-and-egg problem.

Like the energy transition in the automotive industry, the marine and yachting market is facing the same challenge. Few products are currently on the market, because there are no facilities for recharging them, and vice versa.

So, how do you recharge your sustainable boat?

For hydrogen, the currently available solution is to refuel from trucks equipped with a fully charged refueling station, capable of refueling at any port that can accommodate the vessel. Refueling takes only a few minutes. The transfer time for 30 kilograms is approximately 15 minutes at a pressure of 200 bar.

In terms of electricity, the current primary solution is to connect the boat to the existing shore power grid, but this is low voltage and requires several hours to fully charge. The installation of so-called fast-charging stations, which allow for a full charge in about an hour, has been underway for several months.

In the long term, what solutions exist for hydrogen?

Numerous companies are working to develop hydrogen production and refueling stations for gaseous or liquefied hydrogen, capable of delivering several tons per day and operating continuously. This advancement will enable a refueling network to be established in multiple ports.

What about at sea?

Floating and movable barges are now capable of producing hydrogen.

Furthermore, refueling modules can be installed on barges for refueling at sea. This solution is suitable for ports with limited capacity.

However, there is no solution for electricity at present.