Development of world’s first hydrogen vessel enters new stage

This new stage in the collaboration features a technological support component, as well as sustainable development objectives of the Air Liquide Group.

As the first ship autonomous in energy, Energy Observer explores solutions and develops technologies to accelerate ecological transition. Since its launch in April 2017, Air Liquide has been supporting this scientific and technological project by becoming an official supporter.

The key characteristic of Energy Observer is its energy mix, including three sources of renewable energies as well as a complete hydrogen production chain on board the ship using sea water electrolysis. The green hydrogen produced can store a large amount of energy, and does not release any CO2 or fine-particle emissions.

Its use, combined with short-term battery storage, has enabled the ship to sail fully autonomously for 4 years over 75,000 km in extreme conditions, through the Mediterranean, then the Arctic and the Atlantic, and now the Pacific.

Energy Observer is now in a new phase of its development in which it provides the various maritime and port communities, but also on land applications with innovative, sustainable, reliable and accessible energy solutions.

This new stage will take the form of support to the Energy Observer Foundation to enable L’Odyssée to continue its mission to raise awareness and educate, but also through skills sponsorship.

Matthieu Giard, Vice President, member of the Executive Committee, supervising Hydrogen activities, said :

Through the collaboration of our teams with Energy Observer’s, and the testing of hydrogen technologies in extreme environments, we will be able to accelerate the development of hydrogen-based solutions and their large-scale applications, in particular in the maritime sector. It is by acting now, as we prepare for the future and develop new models of sustainable mobility, that we will be able to have a positive impact on tomorrow’s society