The Energy Observer is a vessel powered by energy it produces on its own, whether it's onboard solar panels, wind turbines or hydrogen fuel cells.
There are 126 kW of batteries on board: 100 kW for the engines and another 26 kW for the comfort of the crew. These include light, heating and household appliances - a coffee machine, dishwasher and washing machine. A 100 kW battery powers two 45 kW propellers that can accelerate the boat to a maximum speed of 11 knots.
When the batteries are below 60 percent charge, the hydrogen fuel cell will turn on, replenishing the lost power and ensuring continuous operation. The use of hydrogen to power the boat is quite logical, since its reserves in the water surrounding the boat are practically unlimited.
For this, the Energy Observer is equipped with a desalination tank, electrolyser and compressor. To separate hydrogen from oxygen, the water must first be purified. After separation, the hydrogen is stored in a 62 kg tank at 300 bar. This supply is enough for the vessel to sail for 3 days, including the costs of ensuring the life of the crew.
In the first three years of the ship's voyage, this outstanding ability to self-generate fuel for itself had one critical flaw. Fuel generation did not work at sea, but only when the ship was docked. This happened because the electrolyzer consumes 25 kWh of energy, which is almost equal to the total power consumption of the boat of 28 kWh. If you do this at sea, then there will be no energy left for the movement of the vessel and maintenance of the life of the crew.
It is hoped that this will change during the 2020 Energy Observer voyage (the ship is moored for the winter) as it sails across the Atlantic. The ship will have to receive new solar cells. This will increase the peak power from 29 kW to 32 kW, allowing the cell to be started while driving.