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 moreThe Innovations
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 ![]()
Saint-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 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 moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![A view of the front of the boat at sunset]()
Energy Observer has just completed the second chapter of its Odyssey: the Mediterranean Sea.Read moreSaint-Malo, France The Innovations 
![Energy Observer 3D image with Oceanwings®]()
Already 10,326 nautical miles covered by Energy Observer. Having set out from Saint-Malo in June 2017, the first hydrogen vessel around the world has made 33 stopovers and has been to 14 countries, navigating in France and the Mediterranean with no emissions of greenhouse gases or fine particles.Read moreBastia, FR The Innovations 
![Energy Observer's crew meet the Myrte Project in Corsica]()
Island territories are the best energy-autonomy laboratories. Cut off from the continental grid, and often only having access to reduced infrastructures, they have to handle the variations in electrical production and demand and adapt to the intermittent availability of renewable energies.Read moreBastia, FR The Innovations 
![Marin and Dominique Ristori]()
Dominique Ristori, Director-General of Energy for the European Commission, regards Energy Observer as a model for the transition of energy and ecology.Read moreParis, FR The Innovations 
![Nicolas Hulot presents the Hydrogen plan Nicolas Hulot for France]()
Nicolas Hulot, Minister for the ecological and solidarity transition and Energy Observer’s ambassador, announced a national plan for the deployment of hydrogen in France.Read moreParis, FR The Innovations 
![Victorien et Jérôme next to an Hype Taxi]()
Among the pioneers of hydrogen-powered transport, Energy Observer has had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with Hype Taxis, the first fleet of hydrogen-powered taxis, which has been operating in Paris since 2015.Read more