Two Italian organisations have partnered to create what they believe is the first hydrogen powered tender yacht to be made in Italy.
The MED Group, which creates and develops products for professional and military use, and the marine division of TESYA Group, which specialises in integrated solutions and services for shipbuilding, will create the H1 yacht designed by naval architect Tommaso Spadolini.
The project will focus on technology and sustainability and is expected to take eight months from the initial order to construction and delivery.
Features of the vessel include combining the functionality required by the defense sector with a design consistent with the luxury segment.
Particular attention has been paid to regulatory and safety requirements such as the ventilation system is sized according to ATEX regulations for gas management, making the vessel compliant for navigation in environmentally sensitive areas.
Hydrogen tanks
The yacht will be equipped with two electric motors up to 220kW and four hydrogen tanks providing a total of 32kg of fuel and giving a range of around 50 nautical miles at cruising speed (20-22 knots).
The craft will have a maximum speed of 25-35 knots.
The yacht, which will be 12 metres long and 3.2 metres wide, will incorporate a fuel cell propulsion system powered by compressed green hydrogen integrated by TESYA.
The system is derived directly from the America’s Cup chase boats, where it has already accumulated more than 4,000 nautical miles of use.
The development of the project has been led by Group MED’s R&D department, under the direction of Ugo Casadio, the same team responsible for the MED DEFENSE line developed for military use.
H1 represents a challenge we have embraced with enthusiasm.
Marco Galimberti
The organisations say the goal of the project was to bring a solution derived from robust and proven technologies, capable of guaranteeing efficiency, safety, and durability to the private pleasure boating world.
“H1 represents a challenge we have embraced with enthusiasm,” said Marco Galimberti, CEO of Group MED.
“The project stems from the desire to harmonize technical innovation and respect for the environment.”
He added: “Green hydrogen is now one of the most credible symbols of this transition, and thanks to TESYA’s support, we have been able to create a concrete proposal without sacrificing performance or style.
“The next step will be a study for NetZero public transport, capable of accommodating a greater number of passengers.”
Alejandro Benito, TESYA’s marine director, added: “We believe hydrogen is among the most promising solutions for the energy transition in recreational boating.
“We are investing in a structured way to support shipyards along a concrete decarbonisation path, combining design and engineering expertise and technological expertise.”
Efficient solution
Enrico Dari, director of marine development and Innovation at TESYA, explained that the propulsion system was co-designed based on a functional analysis of operational requirements, with the goal of offering a highly efficient solution.
“We developed the system with a tailor-made approach, starting from the practical needs of the professional world,” he said.
“Thanks to the experience gained in the America’s Cup, we can now transfer these technologies to a product intended for the private market, maintaining the balance between performance and sustainability.”
