What sort of power will we be using in 2025?

Around the world, there are initiatives to de-carbonize our energy technology. Electric autonomy is on the way in the transport sector, but what about us on our catamarans? Is getting rid of fossil fuels realistic in the medium term? And what do we do to achieve this? As Energy Observer is beginning her world tour with no CO₂ emissions, let's try to propel ourselves virtuously into the future.
Energy Explorer is carrying all the latest innovations, which will - perhaps - be on board our boats in 2025…
Victorien Eussard is a pioneer for tomorrow’s energy self-sufficiency. Flexible solar panels lend themselves well to coachroof shapes and allow for fitting several with no aerodynamic deficit.
Energy Observer’s hydrogen fuel cell occupies part of the hull forward in the catamaran. Development in the automobile industry has led to them being miniaturized and made viable, but we’re going to have to wait at least ten years before we see them
Catamarans have an incredible amount of surface area available. On the coachroof and the arch on a cruising cat, over 10m² of solar panels can be fitted, which could charge almost 10kW on a very sunny day
The electric motors are very compact, leaving space for the batteries and generator in the engine compartments. New batteries are now lighter and can power the motors for a few hours
Special propellers for electric motors optimize the transmission of power in the water. New Servoprop variable pitch models from Ocean Volt are proving to be very good
Batteries are being developed in the automobile industry. Seen here, one from a BMW i3 taken on by Torqueedo, which is high-performance. Depending on power and use requirements, there are systems in 48 Volt or 400 Volts
Some motors can adapted to existing transmission systems, and the power is adjustable by combining several modules together. Pod systems can be fitted to existing saildrive mountings
Catamarans have the advantage in terms of space available for solar panels, but importantly, you can get your boat moving with a motor, to create some apparent wind, adding some speed with a little power and recharging at the same time using hydrogenation
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Publié le 19/06/2018
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Numéro : 12
Parution : Aug. / Sep. 2018
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MWHS12

The city of Amsterdam has announced a ban on gasoline-powered vehicles for 2025. On the French Riviera, the removal of polluting fumes in the ports is targeted for 2030. These are just two examples among so many others, but they illustrate the awakening of conscience that is seizing our decision-making. The major players in the industry are investing heavily in hydrogen production to make electric mobility viable and meet these ambitious goals. To succeed in this energy transition, solar and wind, representing only 2% and 4% of energy production respectively, are waiting to be deployed on a la…

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MM233 - octobre-novembre 2025

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