The innovative 6-meter long eco-sustainable sailing boat weighs 600 kilograms, can accommodate up to 3 passengers (plus the skipper) and has 5 hours of autonomy at a navigation speed of 2,5 knots (approximately 4 km / h).
It was created by ENEA, in collaboration with the Italian Naval League (LNI), the companies Arco-FC and Linde Gas Italia and with the logistical support of the Nautica "Il Gabbiano" in Vigna di Valle, on Lake Bracciano (Rome). Equipped with a 1 kW fuel cell, which transforms the hydrogen contained in a ready-to-use cylinder into zero-emission electricity, FUTURA also has a rechargeable battery via two photovoltaic panels, which allows the autonomy to be extended up to to 2 hours.
“The aim of the project is to promote the decarbonisation of the nautical sector by replacing traditional models powered by fossil sources with green-type vessels. The potential of this technology is manifold and makes it possible to explore different alternatives for green and sustainable navigation ”, underlines Giulia Monteleone, head of the ENEA Division of Production, Storage and Use of Energy.
“The demand for zero-emission propulsion boats is increasing; also for this reason we hope to replicate the prototype in other types and larger sizes of vessels, and by planning to install micro-wind and hydro-generation systems, new storage devices and electrolysers ", explains Viviana Cigolotti, head of the ENEA Laboratory. of Energy storage, batteries and technologies for the production and use of hydrogen. “Furthermore - adds Cigolotti - the use of hydrogen and fuel cells guarantees autonomy (combined with storage devices), low refueling times and zero emissions”.
A multidisciplinary team of ENEA researchers from the Energy Technologies and Renewable Sources Department managed the selection, acquisition and installation phases of the fuel cell, while dealing with hydrogen supply, integration of on-board electrical components and safety, in collaboration with Linde Gas Italy. The company also supplied the cylinder user friendly in "returnable" mode, while the fuel cell was made available by Arco-FC, an Italian company specialized in the sector.
FUTURA was also the subject of a degree thesis in Mechanical Engineering, carried out by a student of the “Sapienza” University of Rome.
Various aspects were explored in the Degree Thesis, such as:
Viviana Cigolotti, ENEA - Energy Accumulation Laboratory, Batteries and technologies for the production and use of Hydrogen, viviana.cigolotti@enea.it
"EAI - Energy, Environment and Innovation" magazine dedicated to hydrogen: Planet Hydrogen and ENEA Special Projects
For all ENEA activities on hydrogen: "ENEA technologies and projects for hydrogen"
Readation BlogInnovazione.it
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