Zero CO2 Yacht Sets Sail From Marseille For The First Stage Of Its Scientific Mission In The Mediterranean

The Zero CO2 challenge: tour the Mediterranean using an auxiliary motor, essential for maneuvers in port, with no resulting greenhouse emissions.

In the first phase of the expedition which started on August 2nd, 2010, the boat will set off from port powered by its 400 volt electric battery. A second phase in September will see the boat resume its journey, but this time powered by a hydrogen fuel cell developed by the CEA of Grenoble, France.

Zero CO2 in its testing phase in the Bay of Marseille

 

Credit: Zero CO2/Floralis

Test pollution levels in the Mediterranean using an on-board laboratory

A scientific platform installed on the yacht by the University Joseph Fourier (UJF) and its technology transfer subsidiary, Floralis, will be used to collect scientific data on man-made pollution during the 6 month trip. The crew will collate this scientific data throughout the length of the ZCO2 Mediterranean exhibition.

Integrated laboratory

 

Credit: Zero CO2/Floralis

 The Zero CO2 project will enable the project owners to:

 - Demonstrate the efficiency of the combined energy types that power the RM 1200, an environmentally friendly craft that uses clean energies in place of diesel. These include a hydrogen fuel cell that powers an auxiliary electric motor and a mix of renewable energies (solar, wind, hydro power sources) for onboard power requirements

- Analyse data obtained from the air using the boat’s integrated onboard laboratory in order to evaluate pollution from the sea and coastline, especially pollution originating from fossil fuels

- Raise awareness of climatic change, pollution and the importance of alternative energies to the Mediterranean population and professional/amateur sailors

- Promote a culture based on respecting maritime environments through the adoption of self-sustainable energies (wind/solar power etc) in port and coastal areas in place of traditional fossil fuels. The project will also aim at increasing the uptake of carbon-neutral renewable energies that do not contribute to the greenhouse effect

Boat in port (Marseille)

 

Credit: Zero CO2/Floralis

Additional Objectives

Scope out the potential for a “green” hydrogen network produced via solar panels and wind turbines placed on the roofs of portside buildings. Such a network could enable the Zero CO2 project to achieve its ultimate aim of generating power without any greenhouse gases; as the hydrogen that is currently used for the project is produced via an industrial process that can result in such emissions.

The Zero CO2 project team has developed an internet site www.zeroCO2sailing.com which will feature a wide range of information on the progress of the project including details of the boat’s journey around the Mediterranean as well as give updates on data that has been collected and analysed by the onboard laboratory.

ZeroCO2sailing.com is also an important means of communicating key information about the project to an audience that includes researchers, schoolchildren and the general public.

Results of the first tests at sea

Throughout July, the Zero CO2 yacht has sailed around the Bay of Marseille in order to test the embedded laboratory and other equipment installed in the boat prior to its departure on August 2nd for Corsica, the first phase of the planned trip. This initial stage will see the boat powered by its lithium batteries before its hydrogen fuel cell is fitted towards the end of August.

While moored at Marseille, researchers from the CEA and the crew have worked on two strategic areas: compliance (to ensure the boat adheres to all necessary maritime standards) and testing (in particular the electric motor, propulsion system and the efficacy of the yacht’s lithium-iron-phosphate batteries).

The first results of these technological tests have been particularly promising. The electric motor seems to be very well suited to sailing conditions in terms of its flexibility and its low noise output, but most important of all the propulsion system is far more efficient than previously anticipated due to the performance of the electric motor. The resulting energy savings mean that the boat can run purely off its electric motor for over three hours. 

Another major benefit that has been discovered during this testing phase is that the process of recharging the back-up batteries has exceeded the development team’s expectations. Thanks to the results of these first tests at sea, the research teams are already working on new means of managing energy onboard the boat and most notably the hybridization of the batteries and fuel-cell.

Key stages of the boat’s journey

Duration of the expedition: 5 months

Depart from Marseille: August 2, 2010

August: Powered by its sails and lithium batteries the boat will follow the French coast to Porquerolles then change course to Corsica

September/October: Installation of the fuel cell and loading of hydrogen at Marseille. Departure for Corsica, Sardinia, North Sicily, Aeolian Coast, Italian coast followed by a return to Marseille.

November/December: Departure from Marseille on an easterly course to the Balearic Iles and return to Marseille via the Spanish Coast (the trip is scheduled to end on December 31)

Sources and contacts:

Floralis, Andy Chilton

Website : http://www.zeroCO2sailing.com