EODev presents its REXH₂® aboard a prototype of Hynova Yachts

Energy Observer Developments (EODev) will be present at the next Cannes Yachting Festival from September 8 to 13, 2020 to present its REXH₂® (Range Extender Hydrogen) solution, integrated for the first time in a vessel other than Energy Observer: a Hynova 40 prototype developed with Hynova Yachts, the first production electro-hydrogen boat to be launched on the market.

The REXH₂® is a modular solution developed around Toyota's latest generation fuel cell allowing maritime and river mobility without CO₂ emissions, fine particles and noise. Its tailor-made application ensures the propulsion and / or operation of on-board systems using hydrogen. It has been tested in real conditions aboard Energy Observer over more than 7,000 nautical miles.

The Hynova 40 is a 12m boat designed by Chloé Zaied, founder and managing director of Hynova Yachts, which can be used as a day-boat or superyacht tender. With a capacity of 12 passengers, it is the first pleasure boat equipped with REXH₂®, a zero emissions, silent and hydrogen-electric hybrid technology intended to be produced in series.

A solution that adapts to all uses

The solution developed by EODev to meet the specifications of the Hynova 40 consists of a latest generation Toyota fuel cell, the T-Module, which can supply up to 80kW, supplemented by three 44kW LiFePO technology batteries ( Lithium-Iron-Phospate) designed by EVE Systems and approved for maritime use, and two BorgWarner electric motors developing a power of 184kW each (approximately 2 x 250HP in diesel equivalent).

The set has been designed to allow the boat, which weighs around 9 tonnes, to reach 22 knots at maximum speed and a working speed of 12 knots. The operating speed limit with the battery alone is 8 knots, the boat being able to cover up to 69 miles at 6 knots in autonomy, combining the performance of the cell and batteries.

For Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO, EODev: “The whole team has done a tremendous job, not only to design this boat but also to embark all the partners in this challenge. This prototype and its REXH₂® assembly are the precursors of tomorrow's pleasure boating, paving the way for the yachting world to become one of the main players in the energy transition, for maritime mobility in harmony with the marine environment."

Hydrogen, a vector of clean solutions for maritime and river mobility

In addition to its very high energy density, hydrogen has two advantages: it is the most common molecule in the universe, the combustion of which only releases water, oxygen and heat, which are easily reusable.

The electricity produced on board the Hynova 40 by the fuel cell of the REXH₂® is used directly to supply the boat's propulsion chain via an electric motor, and is also stored in batteries which can make it available for propulsion. and on-board systems as required. The hydrogen gas which feeds the system is stored in compressed form, at 350 bars, in specially designed tanks placed in the body of the boat, on a part located outside the structure of the vessel so as to benefit from a direct air intake. The Hynova 40 will thus have, in this first configuration, three tanks with a total capacity of 22.5 kg of hydrogen.

The advantage of the hydrogen-electric combination in comparison with a 100% electric system, in addition to a significant saving in weight, and therefore in energy consumption, is to make it possible to manage the needs according to the use, if pressing on continuous battery power in "cruise" mode, while being able to instantly strain the batteries during sporadic power calls.

The entire system is managed by an automated Power Management System specifically developed by EODev, which calculates the remaining range according to the usage profile and the expected average speed, as in a car.

Make clean technologies accessible to as many people as possible

The hydrogen solutions developed by EODev have many advantages over traditional installations, diesel in particular, but also "all electric". In addition to environmental objectives, without emissions or noise pollution, the sizing of a REXH₂® assembly allows total modularity to optimize the response to energy needs, with reduced size and weight, and rapid refueling - the time of a full tank. 'gasoline. The absence of moving parts in the fuel cell guarantees simplified and predictive maintenance, for a service life of at least 10,000 hours. Finally, the REXH₂® being a "plug and play" solution, it is not necessary to be an engineer specializing in hydrogen to operate the boat. As in modern cars, the system is "connected" and the data of all components is traceable and archived remotely.

The development of zero emissions and zero noise technologies for private maritime mobility is a great opportunity to contribute to the acceleration of the hydrogen society. The consumption of several hundred kilograms of hydrogen per day promotes the multiplication of hydrogen distribution and consumption points, making these solutions accessible to as many people as possible.

Note: During the Cannes Yachting Festival, only the boat and its on-board technologies will be visible. The demonstrations on the water will take place at a later date, the media being able to take advantage of the Cannes Yachting Festival to visit us and indicate their interest in participating in such a session.