Energy Observer takes care of the details. The experimental catamaran optimizes all its systems to improve its performance as well as the crew’s comfort. Explanations by Roland Reynaud, the on-board engineer.
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A warm welcome to the Energy Observer laboratory, where engineers, researchers and scientists are developing innovations, which will make renewable energies a reality for all.
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Saint-Malo, France The Innovations ![Roland Reynaud working on the boat]()
Saint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![Picture of a EO member in front of the EMS]()
This is the brain of the vessel’s energy supply. Combining multiple intermittent renewable energy sources and storage is one thing. Optimising their use to propel the boat and ensure the crew’s comfort is another! This is where the Energy Management System (EMS) comes in.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![Energy Observer's electric motors]()
Energy Observer is propelled by two electric motors, each with 42kW, providing a total of 115 horsepower. The motors, designed by Phase Automation, have very high output (97%), which also contributes to reducing the boat’s energy requirements.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![The interior of the central gondola with the kitchen on the left, the monitoring in the middle and the workspace on the right]()
To avoid losing the energy dissipated as heat, the Energy Observer engineers installed a recovery system for the heating and hot water used in the living quarters nacelle.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
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Energy Observer chose complementary storage systems: short-term storage in a set of Li-Ion batteries, and eight hydrogen tanks for long-term storage.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![The Energy Observer compressor]()
Hydrogen has a very high energy content: for the same weight, it contains up to three times more energy than diesel, and 2.5 times more than natural gas. That said, we know how to store natural gas in tanks or pipelines. Storing hydrogen is more difficult.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![Picture of the electrolyser]()
Currently, 95% of the world’s hydrogen supply is from fossil fuel, through a reforming process using methane, the main component of natural gas. Electrolysis using a renewable energy source is a solution for the future use of green hydrogen on a large scale.Read moreSaint-Malo, FR The Innovations 
![Picture of the Energy Observer onboard technologies (watermaker)]()
The Energy Observer is equipped with a reverse-osmosis desalination system with several levels. When two volumes of water – one salty and the other not – are put together, natural movement is created: the fresh water is attracted to the salty water.Read moreAmsterdam, Netherlands The Innovations 
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The 18th of April was an expected and important day for Energy Observer, which has equipped itself with a new technological brick for wind propulsion: two Oceanwings®, rotating, self-supporting and 100% automated, which will increase the vessel’s speed and produce hydrogen during navigation by sea water electrolysis.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![Photo of drone taken from the top of the boat crossing the Corinth Canal]()
Energy Observer has been examined with a fine-tooth comb. Every nook of its decks, floats and infrastructure is now fitted with custom photovoltaic panels. A technical conundrum for Hugo Devedeux, on-board engineer who is in charge of the solar component of the experimental catamaran optimization project.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![The CEA-Liten fuel cell]()
The fuel cell is the centrepiece of the hydrogen chain. It converts the hydrogen into electricity by reversing the electrolysis process. The system on Energy Observer was tailor-made by CEA-Liten engineers and provides 20 kW of pure electric power.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![Photo of drone taking water from the boat in the middle of the water]()
The experimental catamaran has clocked up 16 months of full-on sailing. Roland Reynaud, engineer on board, and Didier Bouix, engineer at the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA-Liten) carried out a full check of Energy Observer’s on-board hydrogen chain. And all’s well!Read more