In 2017, a former, super-aerodynamic racing catamaran was converted into a floating laboratory to embark on a six-year mission to visit 50 countries and 101 ports. The vessel is powered by a combination of renewable energy sources. This marked the first time that Toyota’s new fuel cell system had been used for maritime applications.
Toyota has been a supporter of the global zero-emissions experiment from the outset. The electrically powered ‘Energy Observer’ uses a mix of hydrogen produced from seawater, wind and solar energy. The catamaran set sail in June 2017 from the port of Saint-Malo in France and is now roughly halfway through its planned mission. It has so far covered some 18,000 nautical miles.
The Energy Observer is 31 metres long, 13 metres wide and weighs 34 tonnes. The average speed when powered by electricity is approximately 4–5 knots. This can increase to 8 knots when wind power is also utilised. The vessel has a crew of eight and has so far visited 25 countries and 48 ports.
The fuel cell technology used on the vessel was developed by Toyota’s Technical Centre Europe. Its components were first used in the Toyota Mirai, an electric fuel-cell saloon. In addition to this hydrogen-powered car, the technology is now also being used in buses and lorries. Redesigning and building the existing compact module took less than seven months.
