Launched in Saint-Malo in April 2017, Energy Observer has returned to its home port, after a seven-year journey on the seas and oceans. A look back at the exceptional odyssey of the first autonomous energy laboratory ship, of which Air Liquide is a partner.
After a hundred or so stopovers on every continent, from Cape Town to Greenland, via Singapore and the Galapagos Islands, the Energy Observer laboratory ship is back in France. It has clocked up more than 68,000 nautical miles, or around 110,000 km, with a dual objective: scientific and educational. Initiated by Captain Victorien Erussard, a merchant navy officer and ocean racer, this vessel has demonstrated the viability of clean, renewable technologies, including hydrogen, for maritime navigation, in all possible weather conditions.
Link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/IVHV__DNmY4
Towards Zero-Emission Navigation
Energy Observer, partnered with Air Liquide since the beginning, is the world’s first fully energy-autonomous catamaran. It achieves this through a mix of renewable energies: solar, wind, hydraulic, and a complete hydrogen chain generated by seawater electrolysis. Hydrogen storage addresses the intermittency of renewable energies, enabling the boat to emit no greenhouse gases, no fine particles, and almost no noise!
Exploring and Promoting Low-Carbon Solutions
Onboard this floating laboratory for energy transition, sailors, technicians, engineers, scientists, and reporters have taken turns. Their missions: to explore, experiment with, and develop low-carbon energy solutions, while raising awareness among decision-makers and the public about energy transition issues. These interactions with the public (over 350,000 during the odyssey), during numerous stopovers, are among the most memorable moments for the crew. As scientist Beatrice Cordiano shares: « Many people want to make a difference and propose sustainable projects, which gives hope. »
The Energy Observer’s odyssey has been not only a scientific mission but also a journey around the world meeting those committed to energy transition. Victorien Erussard reflects, « With the crew, we felt a sense of urgency exploring a world telling us it’s more than time to act. But I also remember evenings where we were comforted by the positive energy shared by pioneers in ecology and decarbonization. »
New projects are on the horizon, seeking energy solutions and continuing public awareness efforts. The captain and founder of Energy Observer emphasizes: « I will not give up and wait until 2050 to achieve carbon neutrality. The task is challenging and obstacles are many, but seeing what we’ve accomplished in seven years, I’m convinced we can do much more. »
Source: Air Liquide
