Marina Port de Mallorca welcomes Energy Observer as it embarks on climate change expedition

Marina Port de Mallorca has welcomed 30-metre (98-foot) Energy Observer as it embarks on its expedition to combat climate change.

The striking catamaran has an ambitious goal: to teach the world that renewable energies are the solution in the ongoing battle to tackle climate change.

Energy Observer’s energy-efficient characteristics include a light-projecting white and blue hull covered in solar panels, wind turbines erected with a unusual architecture, and a hydrogen-powered, self-propelled boat.

All features of the catamaran are designed to provide maximum performance, with renewable energy at its heart.                                             

Victorien Erussard, one of Energy Observer’s creators, said, “Even the painting of the hull favours the projection of light so that the solar panels capture more energy. We are always improving the techniques, that's why you can see three different types of solar panels that have different characteristics and technologies such as those we have achieved that adapt to the shape of the yacht and you can even step on them without damaging them.”   

A computer on-board the yacht controls the entire renewable energy system – “Although it is a very complex system, with the technology we have managed to simplify it to the point that starting the whole circuit is as simple as pressing a button," Erussard added.

Together with Jerôme Delafosse, the two parties have created the first hydrogen-powered, self-propelled boat – avoiding emitting greenhouse gases or fine particles into the atmosphere.

The Energy Observer is sustained by renewable energies – eolic, solar, hydroelectric – which combine to allow the vessel to move autonomously – as such, creating hydrogen on board through an electrolysis process of seawater.

Observing the motto ‘odyssey for the future’, the Energy Observer will launch a six-year expedition where she will visit 50 countries and stop at 101 ports, with Marina Port de Mallorca being the chosen marina on its way through Mallorca.

Patrick Reynés, manager of Marina Port de Mallorca, expressed his satisfaction about the visit of the Energy Observer to the port.

He noted, “It is not a coincidence to us that Energy Observer is here now. We have been working for a long time for the care of the environment and not only by conducting campaigns for clients and the dissemination of ecological measures both on land and during navigation, but we also have important quality and environmental certificates that endorse us as EMAS, ISO 14001, Blue Flag, and the own inscription in the Carbon Footprint Registry.

“For this same reason we have felt very identified with this project to which we have wanted to give all our support and we have received pleasantly in the marina."

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