hydro generator for yachts

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Cruising 300

Cruising 600, accessories, racing carbon, hydrogenerators cruising.

A good management of the energy on board is the key point to sail in total serenity, regardless the consumption of the on-board electronics or other electrical appliances. Watt&Sea’s hydrogenerators propose an energy self-sufficiency solution on board of cruise or race boats, in the respect of the environment.

Stemmed from ocean racing research, the first Watt&Sea hydrogenerator gets started in 2008 with the objective of an optimal output associated to a negligible drag, letting the boat sail with a positive energy while loading the batteries. Our hydrogenerator has since then being improved taking into account users’ comments, so that we are proposing today an even more reliable and efficient product.

Validated on all seas around the globe, they are the most powerful, reliable and lightest available on the market.

General view

Lifting bracket with cam cleat. Easy immersion and lifting

12/24V converter included. MPPT and Boost technology

Fastening on the transom…

Watt&Sea’s hydrogenerators are usually fastened on the transom of the boats thanks to the fastening kit supplied (adapted to straight and vertical transom). The lifting up and down are similar to a rudder blade’s handling. The charge power being so important, it allows to lift the hydrogenerator up when batteries are fully loaded. Handling makes it easier thanks to high quality steering : an Antal low friction ring to divide the effort plus a Harken cam cleat to maintain the unit in its position.

… or straight under the hull !

New model POD 600 to be fastened straight under the hull !

Tested since 2014 by a few privileged sailors, this version has been able to demonstrate those useful advantages :

• no complicated handling up and down
• easy start-up
• electrical output is the same compared to classic models

CRUISING Hydrogenerators range

After-sale service

Racing Hydrogenerator

Watt&Sea racing hydrogenerators   have radically modify the energy management on board and have become essential pieces of equipment in mythical offshore races like the Vendée Globe or the Route du Rhum. The VOLVO OCEAN RACE has chosen to place its confidence in   Watt&Sea , by equipping the Volvo Ocean 65 fleet present on the start line on the 22nd October 2017 !

Racing hydrogenerators are equipped with a controlled pitch propeller, functionning electronically with an independent system. The drag is minimal and the energy output is optimal on a speed range from 5 to 30 knots.

General View

Casque de relevage avec taquet coinceur. relevage et immersion faciles

Convertisseur / Régulateur 12/24 V inclus. technologie MPPT et Boost

Matereau 610 mm Carbone prépreg ou Aluminium

Hélice à pas variable À l’arrière, protégée des algues et des OFNIS. efficace sur une plage très vaste de vitesse

Alternateur brushless en prise directe. construit pour durer

Régule l’incidence de l’hélice par pression d’huile

1 entrée hydrogénérateur 1 entrée solaire de l’énergie au mouillage

Variable pitch propeller

Racing hydrogenerators are equipped with a controlled pitch propeller, such as an “aeroplane propeller”. High speed launch is possible, putting the blades in the feathered position.

Fastening on the stern…

Watt&Sea racing hydrogenerators tend to be fixed directly on the boats transom, thanks to the fixation kit included in the pack. The lifting and immersion is done like with a dinghy rudder. The effective charge power permits to lift the hydrogenerator up when the batteries are full. Operations are facilitated by premium quality equipment purchased : a low friction ring multiply the effort, and Harken clam-cleat maintains the hydro in the good position.

Racing Hydrogenerator range

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Hydrogenerators – on test

If you’re planning to go long-distance cruising you’ll most likely be looking to fit one or more forms of power generation to avoid running your propulsion engine.

Thanks to modern alternator designs that offer increased power at lower rpm, hydro-generators are becoming a worthwhile investment for yachtsmen who regularly sail long passages. Yes, they do create a slight drag on the yacht under way, but only around 0.25kt or so, which is unlikely to worry most long-distance cruisers.

How do they work?

A hydro-generator has an impeller (reverse prop) that rotates when towed behind a yacht. That rotation is applied to an alternator, which produces AC power that is rectified to produce a DC charge for your batteries, in a similar way to a shore-powered battery charger.

Early models towed an impeller on a long line behind the boat, which was attached to an alternator on board. But their trailing impellers were often bitten off by large fish and they frequently tangled up when fouled or if not retrieved correctly. Current devices have an impeller attached to a submersible leg – not unlike an outboard motor.

Modern, brushless alternators with magnets have reduced turning resistance and increased efficiency, enabling them to produce more power at lower revs. A hydro-generator is an effective way to provide constant electrical charge over a long distance. On a 40ft yacht one of these can produce around 200Ah of charge every 24 hours at 6kt, which is enough to run most electrical items on board.

They also require little maintenance, other than weed clearance and periodic checking of the electrical connections.

Swi-Tec Hydrocharger

First this HG produced a high current flow, although not stable as it fluctuated considerably between readings. Hence the charge levels in our results table are derived from a mean between lowest and highest reading for each speed. The control box is liable to overheating, as the fan appears to be prone to failure. Our test team felt the box was more complicated than necessary.

• Verdict 6/10

Watt & Sea

We tried the 600W model with the mid-range impeller as that was more compatible with the others on test. Although not as powerful as the Save Marine and Swi-TEC HGs at the lowest and highest speeds, at a typical cruising speed of between 5-6kt the output is strong and, importantly, stable.

We liked the ease of installation and straightforward operation, including the simple ‘plug-and-play’ charge controller.

• Verdict 7/10

The SailGen is easy to mount and, having the heavy alternator at the boat end, is light and easy to deploy and lift. The dive plane idea works well and, though its real-time output is less than others, being always kept at the correct depth means its charge level is far more consistent.

• Verdict 8/10

The output is a bit lower than SailGen’s, which itself is middle of the range in comparison with all the others, but having the 2-in-1 option of a wind generator could be a real bonus for those planning to make long passages then coastal cruise in windy areas such as the Trades.

Save Marine

We liked the lightness and ease of deployment of the Save device, especially the arm that kept the lines tidy and secure. We also thought the turbine design to be innovative, quiet and very efficient. Finally, we loved the idea of the remote monitoring on a smart device, especially as the charge controller is fully automatic so there are no switches to be flicked or audible alarms to listen out for.

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Create Power While Under Sail

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Want to keep your sailboat's batteries charged without a generator or running the engine? A hydrogenerator might be the solution.

Modern hydrogenerators are lightweight and generate an impressive amount of battery charging power.

Sailors tend to use their engines far less than the average powerboater, and this creates an immediate problem of how to satisfy a boat's electrical needs. Lighting, electronics, refrigeration, and entertainment systems all require electricity to operate — all demands placed on the boat's battery bank. Solar panels, wind generators, and diesel generators have their place, but all have drawbacks.

I faced such a challenge many years ago on my first Atlantic crossing. We wondered how we were going to keep the batteries charged. By today's standards our electrical demands were modest, but we had no diesel generator. We calculated that we would need to run our main engine for two to three hours per day, a very inefficient and noisy way to charge the battery bank. Solar panels were rejected solely on cost, and there was no convenient place on the old ketch for a wind generator. Ultimately we settled for a "towed generator" — a small propeller at the end of a stiff line was trailed behind the boat, which turned a generator mounted on the back deck of the boat.

Watt and Sea's hydrogenerators are usually fastened on the transom. The lifting up and down is similar to a rudder blade's handling.

Modern iterations of the hydrogenerator are far more compact and easier to deploy. There are several manufacturers, but all use the same basic principle: they transform water flow energy into electricity using an alternator. Looking like a cross between a small outboard motor and a retractable rudder, modern systems are capable of putting out impressive amounts of power with minimum drag. In fact, all the boats in the last Vendée Globe race used hydrogenerators for producing all of their electrical energy needs. This made crucial weight savings by not requiring a heavy generator and the associated fuel tank.

Watt and Sea Hydrogenerator

In this video, you can watch one of the popular Watt and Sea units being towed behind a fairly modest sailboat. At 8 knots of boat speed in 14 knots of wind, the unit is putting out an impressive 16 amps of power. Price depends on which unit you choose, but expect to pay around $3,000 for a complete system.

• Watt and Sea
• Sail-Gen – Dedicated Water Generator
• Hydrogenerator Save Marine H240

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Watt & Sea Hydro Generator Review

‘Wattsson’, a Watt & Sea 600 watt hydro generator , has become part of the Isbjorn  (our Swan 48) family. He joins ‘R2-D2’, our autopilot, as simultaneously our most and least favourite pieces of gear on the boat.

We sail Isbjorn  10,000 miles a year, and Wattsson happily hums along, day and night, providing all of our electrical needs at sea and then some. However, it’s taken a full year and nearly $10,000 to finally work out the kinks, but I still think he is worth it…to us. Here’s why, and why he might not be worth it to you.

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--> Hydrogenerator Save Marine H240 for cruising sail boat

Principle of operation of hydrogenerator save marine.

The hydrogenerator Save Marine H240 transforms the energy of water in movement into electrical energy . It works with an inexhaustible energy : the wind, and therefore the force exerted by the water during navigation and preserves the environment. The hydrogenerator Save Marine reloads the batteries of your sailboat and brings electrical autonomy in order to ensure security and comfort on board . The electricity produced by the hydrogenerator is transmitted to batteries through the regulator to get an optimized current/voltage pair for batteries.

The Save Marine H240 hydrogenerator is especially designed for cruising sailboats, to navigate between 2 and 10 knots.

Description of the hydrogenerator

The Save Marine hydrogenerator is a new generation product who encompass some technological innovations patented and leads to several advantages.

The Save Marine Offer is composed of a complete pack comprising:

-           a embedded system of tilt adjustment adaptable to the high majority of sailboats

-           an adaptable and tilting control arm (easy manipulations)

-           embedded tips and pulleys system to ease the launching and rise up of H240

-           an automatic rising system in case of choc with an OFNI

• A home plate  for a discreet fixing of H240 on the boat transom
• A  configurable regulator box
• A pass-hull, with all the cables and connectors
• A monitoring software to real time production monitoring
• A bag for transportation and storage, marine quality

Mecanical and electrical data

Mechanical data sheet

Electrical characteristics of the Save Marine H240 hydrogenerator

Voltage at the output of the regulator : 12 or 24 volts (configurable in the regulator during installation)

Type of batteries : majority of batteries technology are compatible with our solution (lead open, lead closed, lead calcium, AGM, lithium-ion).

The regulator can adapt the production and optimize the batteries charging in function of her capacity (Ah).

Examples of needs couvered by the Save Marine H24 0 Hydrogenerator

Coastal navigation 

The average daily electrical needs are equal to 1100Wh or 90 Ah (with 12V batteries)

• 5 hours of navigation at 7 knots permit at the Save Marine hydrogenerator to cover 100% of the electrical needs
• 8 hours of navigation at 5 knots permit at the Save Marine hydrogenerator to cover 80% of the needs = the totality of the power supply to the refrigerator.

Offshore navigation

The average daily electrical needs are equal to 2900Wh or 245 Ah (with 12V batteries)

• 5 hours of navigation at 7 knots permit at the Save Marine hydrogenerator to cover one third of the electrical needs , for example, more than the refrigerator and water pression post.

The Save Marine hydrogenerator is therefore an optimal solution than can be completed with others solutions of electrical production (as photovoltaic panels).

Documentation

• Hydrogenerator Save Marine H240 for cruising sail boat
• Advantages of Save Marine hydrogenerator during navigation
• Awards obtained for the hydrogenerator Save Marine
• Testimonies of our clients about hydrogenerator Save Marine H240

Where you can find the H240 ?

You want to discover the H240, to obtain additional information, talk with a pro, see specific adaptations to your sailboat, indicate us the home port of your boat ...

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Towed Water Generators: Are They Worth It?

Jonathan Neeves

A few years ago, I noticed that 2 of the 10 cruising boats I saw docked in Bergen, Norway, had towed water generators, making me wonder whether the Scandinavians have had better luck with these devices than we have. In the October 2017 issue of Practical Sailor, offshore gurus John Neal and Amanda Swan Neal of Mahina Tiare Expeditions share their experience with these systems.

It has been a long time since Practical Sailor tested towed water generators, and the number of choices remains extremely limited. The last towed water generator we reviewed was the Hamilton-Ferris towed water generator . And the last long-term test was of the Aqua4Aeroben made by LVM in the United Kingdom.

The units I saw in Bergen looked like they were the Aquair 100 made by the British manufacturer Ampair. In our article on Choosing a Wind Generator , we mention Ampair, and we describe its wind generator in greater detail our marine wind generator test (available only to subscribers). We have not yet had a chance to test the Aquair 100, but it operates in a similar way to the Hamilton Ferris unit. Both tow a small impeller that looks-and this is one of the problems-like a big fishing lure with propeller blades. As the impeller spins, it turns the generator fixed to the boats stern. Old-timers may remember how much the fish seemed to like those pricey impellers for the Walker Knot Log , even though they were painted black.

One thing I noticed in Bergen was that one of the towed water generators had what looked to be a homemade impeller, and it is quite probable that the original one was lost. This is one of several problems with towed water generators; they get tangled, fouled in weed, snagged, and lost-sometimes eaten by big fish or sharks. I suppose one reason there might be more of these units here in the north country is the waters don’t have as many surface-feeding pelagic species as we have in warmer climates.

Towing isn’t the only option, though. While I was in South Africa a few years ago, I spoke with the local representative for Duogen to try to arrange a test of this product, a combination wind and water generator. At the time, the company was fairly early in the product development, and I was not impressed with the fabrication. One thing I did like was the apparent ease (the key word is apparent, because I did not try this at sea) with which the Duogen deployed: It is suspended over the stern like an electric outboard. In its water-gen mode, it looked very similar to the Watt & Sea hydrogenerators that Practical Sailor contributor Dan Dickison examined during the Velux 5 Ocean Race. These are now available in a cruising version , but they are expensive units, and again we have not tested them.

All of these products have another problem in that they add drag underway. Some owners report speed losses of a quarter- to a half-knot. This isn’t a big deal if they can help keep the ships systems running on a long passage of the kind that John and Amanda routinely tackle on their offshore training sails aboard their Hallberg Rassy 46, Mahina Tiare III .

Call me a skeptic, but when I look at the prices for hydrogenerators and consider how much time they will actually be delivering power to the boat, I think there are much better ways to spend my money. If an efficient and convenient dual-purpose generator comes on the market, I may change my tune. But right now, I think solar, then wind still reign in the world of ship-board alternative energy.

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Hydro Generators

Search and buy from a comprehensive selection of the highest quality hydro generators for sailing boats and yachting, with free delivery on all orders, only at pro marine store.  , we sell hydro generators to enable self sustaining electrical generation whilst sailing your boat anywhere in the world.  by making your own power, you are less reliant on the land.  you are more environmentally friendly and can power your essential safety services without the need of diesel generators.  you can also supplement solar power production.  research and buy your hydro generator at pro marine store, where our technicians really know our products inside and out, and will advise you on the best solutions., no items found..

HYBRID AND ELECTRIC MARINE POWER AND PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Zero Emission

No environmental restrictions

No high voltage risk

Remote System Interface

State of the art Lithium Ion battery technology

Safe installation and operation

Instant power output for maneuverability

Zero to full torque in an instant

No waiting for engine rev to settle

No pre-start warning beep

Best quality components available

Patented Technology

Hydro power regeneration

Superior thrust efficiency and energy capture

Remote diagnostics

Low maintenance

System Solutions for a Range of Marine Activity

THE FACTS ABOUT ELECTRIC POWER, BATTERIES AND PROPULSION

Today's electric motor technology has already moved from

the open road to the open ocean.

Instant High Torque

Electric motors are in constant ‘stand by’ mode; you can engage the control lever at any time for instant forward or reverse propulsion.

Electric motors achieve instant torque with Electromotive Force while internal combustion engines need to build RPMs gradually by increasing piston firing frequency.

Hydro Generation

At sailing speeds over 6 knots Oceanvolt systems are able to generate significant power for recharging the battery bank by activating at the touch of a button.

Power regeneration increases exponentially with each additional knot of speed.

Lithium Ion batteries are superior to other battery storage technology; highest storage capacity, high effective current delivery, high charge capacity resiliency and wide temperature range performance. In today's digital age, where everything is just a click away, 1xbet mobile takes a significant chunk of the online casino services sector. Starting as an online casino service in 2007, 1xBet expanded its services in 2014 to include sports betting. Fast forward to 2018, and they marked their entry into the Indian market. Their app and website, designed in a calming blue and white hue, are not just a treat for the eyes but are also super intuitive. With a support interface that covers 50 languages, including Hindi, the platform ensures that language is no barrier to placing your bet.

Oceanvolt highly skilled technical team ensures proper installation and system-optimization.  Only the highest quality Li-Ion batteries are used - to ensure performance and safety.

For those interested in a hybrid solution, generators are a highly efficient way to extend range while at sea.

DC generators have the advantage of rapid recharging capability.

AC generators are, generally, smaller and even portable which means that the generator can be aboard only in situations where longer motoring might be required.

Battery recharging is accomplished with shore connection, hydro generation (an integrated part of all Oceanvolt systems) and/or solar panels.

In Hybrid solutions , a generator (either AC or DC) can be used to recharge batteries / extend motoring range.

Integrated components

It is essential that all system components are properly selected and installed.

Our team of highly skilled technicians ensure that all components are compatible and that system management software is optimized.

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Maritime News

Marine-i helps develop pioneering hydroelectric generator for yachts.

Support from Marine-i is helping Openarc Marine develop a completely new approach to on-board generators for use when cruising under sail. This hydroelectric technology would have worldwide applications and help to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation at sea.

Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i is designed to help the marine technology sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through harnessing the full potential of research and innovation.

Based in Cornwall UK, Openarc Marine is focused on developing smart marine energy systems. They develop technologies which reduce and eliminate dependence on diesel and petrol fuelled electric generators, control energy collection and consumption, and harvest free energy from the sea.

Openarc Marine set out to overcome a number of key drawbacks with existing technologies. Conventional systems couple the turbine directly to the generator, making them drag sensitive and limited in range and output. The Openarc system has an intelligent coupling system able to control drag and open up a wider range of operation with higher energy yields.

Openarc Marine Director, Jim Shields, explains: “Our innovative system introduces a completely novel approach to hydro generation, where optimisation of energy conversion efficiency has been reduced in favour of controllability. This has then been augmented by the use of a highly sophisticated control mechanism. This means that the new system can generate electricity at very low speeds, when other generators cannot. Because the amount of drag can be controlled, the user can choose to sacrifice speed to generate more electricity if they wish. This degree of control makes our product unique in the marketplace, creating a significant step forward for our industry.”

Openarc Marine engaged with Marine-i to get support in developing an operational prototype of the new system, including the build of a full size turbine. Marine-i worked with Openarc Marine to develop a programme of activity covering design review, systems design and verification, and prototype testing and analysis.

Prof Lars Johanning, Programme Director for Marine-i, says: “This is a really exciting innovation from Openarc Marine, which will have global applications in the leisure sailing industry. This project has the potential to make Openarc Marine a world leader with its pioneering approach to hydroelectric generation.”

Openarc Marine Director, Mark Basham, adds: “Support from Marine-i has given us the opportunity to bring this new technology to market at a much faster rate than would otherwise be possible. We are now conducting prototype development, having proven the concept through pilot testing. We will be carrying out sea trials off Falmouth in Spring 2022 and the product is expected to be launched in 2023.”

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Hydrogen powered boats: what are the realistic options?

• Sam Fortescue
• November 24, 2021

Hydrogen is the future of energy – everyone says so. Billions of pounds of funding have been unveiled as part of the Government’s UK Hydrogen Strategy, which includes marine sector targets

Hydrogen fuel has the potential to be entirely carbon-free, producing just water as a by-product of its use. Credit: Scharfsinn/Alamy

Hydrogen is the future of energy – everyone says so. But what options are there for hydrogen powered boats?

The yacht industry may still be gingerly getting to grips with battery-powered craft and electric yachts , and us leisure sailors are still wedded to our dirty diesels , but the hydrogen revolution is coming to boating.

In fact it may be here already, according to Tom Sperrey of Fuel Cell Systems in Berkshire.

‘We could do it today,’ he tells me. ‘I could have your boat in the water with a fuel cell by the spring for £100k plus the cost of the boat!’

Hydrogen fuel has the potential to be entirely carbon-free, producing just water as a by-product of its use.

A decade or more ago, it was assumed that hydrogen combustion would provide a useful stepping-stone to the use of hydrogen fuel cells, because it allowed manufacturers to use existing engine blocks and design.

Hydrogen modules are among the smallest that exist and require a plastic-lined cylinder for storage under pressure

But burning hydrogen in a thermal engine is up to 50% less efficient than reacting it with air in a fuel cell, and pretty noisy to boot, so this approach has been sidelined in favour of adopting more innovative solutions.

In cars or boats, where every mile of extra range is critical, a key challenge with fuel cells is how to store the hydrogen.

It is a gas at normal pressure and temperature, which means that it has to be heavily compressed to get enough of it into a tank.

At sea, the current limit is 350bar, although the automotive industry has approval for 700-bar storage, which gives an extra 25% capacity.

But, to maintain such pressure, you need specialist carbon cylinders lined with impervious plastic, as well as a system of robust pumps and piping.

And that adds both cost and weight.

‘In the near future, there’ll be hundreds of 32 foot hydrogen powered boats,’ promises Daedalus founder, Michael Reardon

Using a 350-bar system, the weight of the fuel cell and the hydrogen storage system still comes in below that of a traditional diesel set-up, but it requires more volume and it costs more.

Using gaseous hydrogen as a fuel leads French marine fuel cell developer EODev to be cautious about marine applications.

‘We’re not looking at replacing the diesel engine – although that is the ultimate goal. [Our target] is limited cruising in inshore areas. It makes perfect sense from an environmental perspective.’

Hydrogen powered boats: Liquid fuel

Another approach is to use a liquid fuel that is rich in hydrogen – like methanol or ammonia.

They naturally contain less usable energy than pure hydrogen, so are less efficient, but being stored in standard fuel tanks makes them easier to integrate with current designs of boat.

The drawback here is that methanol reactions generate CO2 and ammonia produces polluting nitrous oxides.

All these fuels can be produced industrially from fossil fuels, with the associated emissions, or from water and air using renewable energy .

Continues below…

Electric yacht: What are the options for going electric?

Electric and hybrid yachts are growing in popularity; we outline the current options for those making the switch

Renewable energy afloat: the latest tech

Sam Fortescue examines how renewable energy afloat is benefitting from technical developments in other sectors

How lithium batteries are changing onboard power

Duncan Kent investigates the technology used in lithium batteries and explains what to consider in matching them with a management…

Would you switch to electric propulsion?

Would you make the switch? We ask two sailors who have looked at how the real-world numbers stack up on…

This gives rise to different ‘colours’ of fuel, ranging from green to grey, brown and black – a loose measure of how environmentally friendly they are.

The other challenge is a relative lack of infrastructure for distributing pure hydrogen (of any colour), which makes it rather difficult to fill up during a cruise.

‘Right now, the thing that’s stopping us is the availability of hydrogen,’ agrees Sperrey.

His company has developed a stand-alone refueller called the HyQube as well as refuelling stations on wheels.

Growing momentum for hydrogen powered boats

Across Europe , many pilot schemes are being rolled out via mobile or small-scale distributors and there are already 11 UK filling stations – concentrated in the south-east of England.

It would not take a big leap to start developing a distribution network around petrol station forecourts and extending to key harbours .

More excitingly, the French company EODev is building a floating hydrogen refuelling station which actually makes its own hydrogen by desalinating and electrolysing seawater in the harbour.

Phil Sharp is on a mission to race around the globe in the world’s first hydrogen race yacht

With all these ifs and buts, you might think that the technology would not be ready yet for actual boaters.

But there are already several marine-specific power modules on the market, ranging from 40W to 200kW.

Naturally enough, big engineering firms like ABB and CMB are also building much larger fuel cell systems for commercial vessels, and this will have a trickle down effect in time.

If you want to go emissions-free now, it’ll cost €100k upwards, so it’s an expensive project.

Hydrogen powered boats: At 6 knots, the new Hynova 40 motorboat has a range of 69 miles courtesy of 22.5kg of hydrogen stored in three cylinders

That would make much more sense as part of a luxurious new build project, like the D88 catamaran from Daedalus, which will make its own hydrogen as it goes.

But Daedalus founder Michael Reardon is convinced the technology will trickle down quickly.

‘In the very near future, there’ll be hundreds of hydrogen 32-footers,’ he promises.

In the meantime, you can always use an Efoy methanol cell so you don’t have to fire up the engine for battery charging.

Efoy fuel cells have long been a staple of boat show stands and are now on their fifth generation, leading the market for small-scale methanol units.

The marinised models are the Efoy 80 and Efoy 150 – slightly confusingly generating 40W and 75W of power respectively, at 12V or 24V.

You can simply connect them up to standard, gel, AGM or lithium batteries, although they are at their most efficient paired with an Efoy lithium cell.

‘I have an Efoy on my boat which is 12 years old,’ says Sperrey. ‘It’s been very reliable. As with all fuel cells its performance declines over time.’

EFOY fuel cells lead the market for small-scale methanol units

Both units are fairly compact (448 x 198 x 275mm) and weigh less than 7kg, making them easy to site.

No need to worry about exhaust gases – just a small quantity of waste water, which should be drained or collected.

You can install an optional control panel in the system to see what’s going on, or add an Efoy Bluetooth adapter – sometimes bundled – and consult the Efoy app via smartphone or tablet.

Liquid methanol fuel comes in 5L or 10L canisters costing £75.60 or £106.80 respectively.

You can also order a 28L canister. At 12V, expect to get 460Ah (5.5kWh) out of the small 5L cartridge or 925Ah (11.1kWh) from the big 10L one.

Efoy 80 BT: £2,670 Efoy 150 BT: £4,230, www.fuelcellsystems.co.uk

Genevos HPM-15

Spun out of the sailing campaign of Phil Sharp and his IMOCA 60 OceansLab , this is a hydrogen-based power module that you can order now, although manufacturing is still at a low level, so you won’t receive your fuel cell module until 2022.

It is in a different league to the Efoy, capable of generating up to 15kW of continuous power.

This makes it suitable for propulsion in smaller or easily driven boats, and should easily cover hotel loads on a larger boat with lots of gadgets.

One of the benefits of proton membrane exchange technology like this is that it can supply even very low currents efficiently and step up in the blink of an eye.

The extra power comes with extra dimensions, though.

A hydrogen-based power module that you can order now, although you won’t receive it til 2022

The unit is over a metre long (110cm), 65cm wide and 35cm high, although it weighs in at just 90kg.

Genevos is also developing larger units with outputs of 30kW and 45kW.

The cost of buying and installing a full system starts at around €100,000, according to Sharp.

‘The price of fuel cells and green hydrogen is really going to drop, especially when large scale electrolysis gets online,’ he says.

‘We’re expecting a 70% reduction in costs. By 2025, there’ll be production boats with hydrogen energy systems.’

HPM-15: c£42,750 (€50,000) www.genevos.com

EODev REXH2

As the name here implies, this unit is considered as a range extender to an electric boat , but it is also an effective generator.

It has been developed by the commercial spin-off of the Energy Observer project, which is in the process of sending a specially designed hydrogen-electric craft around the globe without a drop of fossil fuel.

The other partner was car-maker Toyota, which provided the fuel cell technology – identical to that in its new Mirai car.

REXH2 is a hydrogen range-extender to an electric vessel, and a generator

The headline power rating is 70kW – roughly equivalent to 94hp, and the unit is ‘stackable’ so you can install several in series for more power.

Like all hydrogen fuel cells, it is silent, can instantly generate power across its full range of outputs and produces only water as a waste product.

Although it is a recent product, the first commercial demonstration is already afloat; the new Hynova 40 motorboat – currently on a publicity tour in the south of France .

Its top speed is 22 knots and, at 6 knots, it has a range of 69 miles courtesy of 22.5kg of hydrogen stored in three cylinders.

EODev is looking at smaller units too, and admits that the current cost of the REXH2 makes it unlikely to appeal to smaller boats.

‘Our objective is to bring [the price] down significantly within the next couple of years once full industrialisation is underway,’ says Tallieu.

€180,000, www.eo-dev.com

Advanced Materials and Engineering Technologies pp 93–105 Cite as

A Portable Hydro Generator for Fishing Boats

• Md Redzuan Zoolfakar 7 ,
• Muhammad Syahmi Syukri Abdul Shukur 7 &
• Nik Harnida Suhainai 7  
• First Online: 12 March 2022

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Part of the Advanced Structured Materials book series (STRUCTMAT,volume 162)

The use of modern and renewable technology is on the rise in a variety of fields. This can be seen in the use of water energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, water energy, and other renewable energy sources in different aspects of life and industry. In Malaysia, hydroelectric power generation from dam is commonly used to produce electricity for consumers. As for marine vessels in Malaysia, they usually use generators onboard to produce electricity. By applying the hydroelectric method to the fishing boat, fuel consumption and gas emission can be reduced. This study focuses on zone A class small fishing boats which commonly have no power sources installed onboard the vessel. Without a fixed power source installed, small fishing boats use portable generators and batteries as sources of electrical power. However, some small boats are not installed with any power sources onboard due to limited space and high weight. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the electrical power output generated from the hydro generator onboard small fishing boats by using the portable method mounted on the boat body, a suitable method to carry out the experiment.

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Acknowledgements

This research is conducted as one of the requirements that must be completed by the researcher that is supported by UniKL MIMET with guidance from experts, and for this, we would like to express our gratitude to anyone who was deliberately or inadvertently involved in the completion of this study. We also thank the readers for their positive feedback and helpful ideas in writing this paper.

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Marine and Electrical Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Lumut, Malaysia

Md Redzuan Zoolfakar, Muhammad Syahmi Syukri Abdul Shukur & Nik Harnida Suhainai

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Azman Ismail

Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Lumut, Perak, Malaysia

Wardiah Mohd Dahalan

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Esslingen Univ of Applied Sciences, Esslingen am Neckar, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Andreas Öchsner

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Zoolfakar, M.R., Shukur, M.S.S.A., Suhainai, N.H. (2022). A Portable Hydro Generator for Fishing Boats. In: Ismail, A., Dahalan, W.M., Öchsner, A. (eds) Advanced Materials and Engineering Technologies. Advanced Structured Materials, vol 162. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92964-0_10

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