EODev brings power solutions to major nautical events

The Energy Observer adventure was born from the experience and the will of Victorien Erussard, President, Captain and founder of Energy Observer, to work for the protection of the oceans by developing solutions to have "clean" energy available at sea, so as to operate boats without impacting the environment. This led to the creation of EODev, which echoes this background and demonstrates that decarbonization of the maritime sector is possible; whether it is for sailing races, cargo ships or ashore.

EODev solutions prove that reliable and accessible alternatives are no longer a utopia. An innovative and committed company, EODev regularly supplies emission-free electricity to temporary exhibition villages, such as those of the Route du Rhum or the Sail GP championship. Its maritime power generator REXH₂® will also supply energy to chase boats for the next America's Cup in 2024 through the Bluegame project, and the company takes part in the development of the Energy Observer 2 cargo ship intended to run on liquid hydrogen.

At the beginning of September, the GEH₂® electro-hydrogen power generator was used on the occasion of the Saint-Tropez stage of the 2022 Sail GP circuit. The esplanade which hosted the village and its high-tech sailing jewels was equipped with two GEH₂® of 100kVA each. Operating continuously, with regular swaps of hydrogen racks thanks to their double adduction systems, our power generators converted more than 600 kg of hydrogen to supply more than 10 MWh of electricity, saving nearly 10 tons of CO₂.

A second major event took place from October 25 to November 9, 2022, when the educational exhibition village of Energy Observer took up residence in Saint-Malo for the Route du Rhum sailing race. The installation, as well as the village's large panoramic wheel, were powered by several GEH₂® electro-hydrogen units developed by EODev, so as to showcase concrete solutions that meet the challenges of the energy transition and can reduce the carbon impact of offshore racing. In the end, no less than 300 kg of hydrogen were converted by three GEH₂®, saving on average the emission of nearly 250 kg of CO₂ per day and 1,600 liters of diesel over almost three weeks, for nearly 5,000 kWh supplied, without noise, without odors, without fumes, without emissions.

A pragmatic alternative to diesel generators, the use of the GEH₂® during these events achieved a two-fold objective, providing a concrete demonstration of zero direct emissions energy solutions and showing their full potential for various event applications.

Changing landscapes, this time on the water, EODev's maritime power generator REXH₂® invites sailing enthusiasts and thrill seekers to join the next America's Cup, in 2024 in Barcelona. Following a collaboration agreement announced in September 2022 by Massimo Perrotti, President and CEO of San Lorenzo, Bluegame (a subsidiary of San Lorenzo) and EODev teams are working hard to integrate the new generation of REXH₂® into the Bluegame's High Speed Vessel that will follow contender American Magic during the preliminary stages of the competition, before hoping to challenge AC's Defender Team New Zealand.

This chase boat, a catamaran flying on foils, will soon be equipped with two REXH₂®s which will complete an energy supply system also comprising two batteries, each set being installed in the hulls with their hydrogen tanks. Powering two engines with a total output of 400 kW, the REXH₂® and the batteries will be able to deliver 286 kW of nominal power to reach the maximum speed of 50 knots — thus trying to keep up with the AC75s capable of exceeding 50 knots! Capable of "flying" from 24 knots, Bluegame's chase boat will also be able to rely on the power provided by its REXH₂® alone to maintain a cruising speed of 30 knots. Thanks to its tanks that can take up to 33 kg of hydrogen compressed at 350 bars, the total supplied to the propellers will exceed 650 kWh of effective available energy, which will give it enough autonomy to travel up to 180 nautical miles at 25 knots, and sail between 120 and 150 minutes without having to recharge the batteries or refuel with hydrogen. The launch of the HSV is scheduled for the summer of 2023, with a presentation during the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 11 to 17, 2023. Where we see that fun and technology, during this next America's Cup, will be as much on board the AC75s than with their tenders!