Sustainability

Smart energy concepts and sustainable materials are used on new and existing yachts in order to minimize their impact on the environment. Fuels of the future and sustainable materials are being actively researched and tested.

Pioneering propulsion system

Ethereal’s owner Bill Joy launched his project with a “charrette” – a three-day symposium at the shipyard’s facilities, attended by the world’s leading academics in all the disciplines that might conceivably have a bearing on his project. Project 384, Ethereal, became the world’s first hybrid superyacht noted for her pioneering propulsion system and for incorporating 400kWh of stored energy in her Li-ion battery bank.

Ground-breaking hybrid system

Ethereal has since logged several hundred thousand miles traversing the oceans (and was overlooked by Feadship just a few years after her launch: link). She can be propelled by sail, by mechanical propulsion, or be powered by her stored energy source. In addition to the sailing systems and anchoring functions, her entire domestic load can draw its power from the same set of batteries.

Variable speed, variable output

Project 392, Elfje, incorporates an iteration of the hybrid technology that was inspired by Ethereal. Whereas Ethereal’s ground-breaking hybrid system focuses on propulsion and power management, Elfje interprets “hybrid” as generating power via variable speed, variable output generators backed up by a Li-ion “peak shaving” power storage bank and energy management system.

Exceptional fuel efficiency

Project 403 (Phi) features exciting high performance and exceptional fuel efficiency. At the start of this motoryacht project, the shipyard team was well aware that the new challenges posed by Phi’s brief – not least keeping her displacement below 500GT – would need to be addressed within a highly robust and efficient innovative framework. With success: her naval architect, Perry van Oossanen, said of her energy consumption: “She is 30% more efficient than a traditional 500GT motor yacht.”

Stealth mode for Project 404

Project 404 (Sarissa) is the next high-achiever in terms of low fuel consumption. Her twin, fixed pitch, pulling propellers for optimized efficiency are directly connected to permanent magnet motors. The units are part of the swing retractable, redundant electric azimuthing propulsion system. Backward retraction minimizes the impact on interior volume. This superyacht is able to motor in true silent – stealth mode – operation, using only her batteries, so that an early morning silent departure from a peaceful anchorage is possible.

Commissioning stealth mode

Some unique features of the retractable electric drive propulsion units of Sarissa: power level (500kW each) – minimized noise and vibrations level (flexible mounting, single gear between e-motor and propeller and no gear inside the hull) – unit can serve as underwater turbine, generating power for the systems and charging the batteries. Learn more? link

Future-proofed New World Sloop

Wherever the technology permits – or can be adapted to permit – Project 410 will be future-proofed. Self-generation of energy is just one example onboard this 85m / 280ft New World Sloop. A huge 2-megawatt battery bank facilitates silent and fumeless propulsion. This ensures ultimate comfort along with maximum redundancy and sustainability.

The ultimate hybrid superyacht

The groundbreaking hybrid catamaran AERA redefines sustainability, showcasing an unprecedented matrix of technical innovations in the process. She transforms how luxury vessels use wind-assisted propulsion, hydro-generator advances, a fuel cell, and biodiesel to cruise nearly carbon free and to anchor with zero emissions for up to 72 hours. The result of a multi-year R&D investment is a yacht that sails and motor sails with levels of efficiency, stability, ease of operation and comfort never before achieved: link

Smart energy concepts

Foftein (1999) and Juliet (1993) have been transformed as a result of a conversion from conventional to hybrid power generation. The work was carried out by Huisfit. Both yachts received the ultimate systems upgrade with leading-edge propulsion technology and power generation. Learn more? link (opens new tab)

Tribrid propulsion

The propulsion system of Project 405 (Nilaya) answers the owners’ request for an emergency ‘get home’ engine. The flexible “tribrid” system provides three ways to power the variable pitch propellor without a supplemental third engine or gearbox. Its battery pack allows the yacht to operate silently in no-carbon areas.