Hydrogen Central

The hydrogen revolution in support boats is amazing in Barcelona

hydrogen revolution

The hydrogen revolution in support boats is amazing in Barcelona

The 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona 2024 is undergoing a true technological revolution, not only in the competing vessels but also in the support boats with the use, for the first time, of hydrogen as fuel

The Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), defending champion in Barcelona, has developed an advanced chase boat with foils, called ‘Chase Zero’, powered by hydrogen with the aim of promoting the use of this zero-emission sustainable energy source in the nautical sector.

According to the Protocol (Regulations) of the 37th Cup, all teams must have at least one boat of this type, whether of their own construction and design or acquired from ETNZ.

The Hydrogen Powered Boat, known as ‘Chase Zero’, is a vessel equipped with foils measuring 10 meters (33 feet) in total length, capable of carrying six people, with an additional payload capacity of 250 kg and a range of 93 to 111 miles (150 to 180 km).

It generates approximately 440 kW of maximum power through a 400 V DC system powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and is capable of reaching a cruising speed of 35 knots (68 km/h) with a maximum speed of over 50 knots (90 km/h).

Your total weight, with cargo, is 5,200 kg. The first unit was launched in March 2022 and has an approximate price of $620,000 (€550,000).

Hydrogen, protagonist in the America’s Cup

All teams must have at least one Chase Zero boat available

In fact, the combination of hydrogen fuel cells with lithium battery electric propulsion is aimed at achieving greater range and speed with zero emissions and a low carbon footprint.

Toyota, partner of the Emirates Team New Zealand for over 30 years, played a significant role in facilitating the acquisition of the two most important fuel cells.

The construction of the ‘Chase Zero’ began in August 2021 at the team facilities in North Shore (Auckland), with the construction of the appendages and the powertrain of the hydrogen fuel cells.

Powered by green hydrogen

The ‘Chase Zero’ does not rise above its ‘foils’ until the boat’s speed reaches 19 knots

The four onboard storage tanks store hydrogen gas at a pressure of 350 bars, while propulsion is achieved through a Mercury propeller embedded inside the foils.

The tanks are constructed with a plastic lining wrapped in carbon fiber. Each one is capable of holding 8 kg, giving a total capacity of 32 kg when full.

The design of the aluminum foils by the design team of Emirates Team New Zealand was heavily based on AC75 technology, and the autopilot used to control the driving height is patented technology from ETNZ that has already been implemented in the new AC40.

The ‘Chase Zero’ does not lift onto its foils until the boat’s speed reaches 19 knots (36 km/h). The height increases gradually as the boat accelerates, lifting off the foils from 40 cm to 1.2 meters.

This is an automated boat with the driver controlling it simply by operating the accelerator and the steering, which regulates the autopilot.

In the tests carried out with an 11-meter support boat equipped with twin 250 HP outboard engines, they would have used 140 liters of gasoline per hour at 28 knots (54 km/h), with a total of 825 liters over the six hours that the hydrogen cells last.

The Air Products group, through its local subsidiary Carburos Metálicos, a provider of industrial gases based in Barcelona and the Official Hydrogen Provider of the 37th America’s Cup, installed two hydrogen refueling stations. One with low hydrogen volume at the Drassanes dock, and another with a higher hydrogen volume at the Ponent dock.

Additionally, the Spanish company ACCIONA Energía announced last August an agreement with America’s Cup Event BCN to become the Official Energy Partner of the 37th Louis Vuitton Cup of America, sponsoring the fleet of four foiling chase boats ‘Chase Zero’ powered by green hydrogen, being used for the first time in the history of the competition.

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

The hydrogen revolution in support boats is amazing in Barcelona, source

Get our LinkedIn updates!

Join our weekly newsletter!

Follow us

Don't be shy, get in touch. We love meeting interesting people and making new friends.