NCIE
NCIE
The Norwegian company in 2030 will present an electric yacht with zero emissions
Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten has unveiled plans for a zero-emission, solar-powered electric yacht that will set sail in 2030.
The Sea Zero project was originally announced in March 2022, and since then the Norwegian company Hurtigruten, together with 12 maritime partners and the Norwegian research institute SINTEF, has been looking for technological solutions that can help zero-emissions sea travel. The yacht will be powered by 60 megawatt batteries that can be recharged with clean energy in port, as renewable energy sources make up 98% of Norway's energy system. Gerry Larson-Fede, senior vice president of marine operations at Norwegian company Hurtigruten, which is behind the concept of the zero-emission ship, estimated that the batteries would have a range of 300 to 350 nautical miles, meaning an 11-day voyage. The boat must be refueled seven or eight times for departure and return.
To reduce battery dependency, three retractable sails will be raised above deck in windy weather, reaching a maximum height of 50 meters. The sails will be covered with a total of 1,500 square meters of solar panels, which will generate energy to charge the batteries while sailing, and the battery charge level will be displayed on board.
The ship will have 270 cabins, accommodating 500 guests and 99 crew members, and its streamlined shape will result in less air resistance, helping to further reduce energy consumption. Guests on the yacht will be encouraged to minimize their impact on the climate through an interactive mobile app that tracks their personal water and energy consumption.
