Green Economy Journal Issue 58

MOBILITY
MOBILITY
Toyota believes that
hydrogen is the catalyst for
energy decarbonisation.
Energy Observer Productions I Amélie Conty
TOYOTA FUEL-CELL TECHNOLOGY
opens new horizons for
The Toyota fuel-cell-powered Energy Observer boat docks in Cape Town in June 2023. This
state-of-the-art sustainability project demonstrates the adaptability of Toyota hydrogen fuelcell
technology.
Former racing catamaran turned ship of the future, Energy
Observer, has made waves on its seven-year odyssey around
the world as the first energy-autonomous hydrogen vessel.
Toyota, official partner of Energy Observer and an avid supporter of
their project from the start, specially developed a fuel-cell system
for the Energy Observer maritime application.
Energy Observer is an electrically propelled vessel of the future that is
operated using a mix of renewable energies and an on-board system
that produces carbon-free hydrogen from seawater. The operators of
the vessel are on a mission to meet people in 50 countries and 101
ports during their voyage, with an aim to prove that a cleaner world
is not only possible but that the innovations can open doors to new
sustainable energy systems. Their activities also demonstrate and
share potential solutions to champion an ecological and energy
transition – a challenge facing South Africa in particular.
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Energy Observer in Svalbard.
SUSTAINABILITY
ENERGY OBSERVER
Toyota’s fuel-cell system, first introduced in the Toyota Mirai, the
world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle, proved
its value as a propulsion system on the road. However, the company
has more recently been exploring the use of its fuel cell in other
applications such as buses and trucks.
Toyota as a company is aiming to develop a hydrogen society and
to “establish a future society in harmony with nature,” as stated in its
The project successfully demonstrates
the adaptability of the Toyota fuel-cell
technology to a variety of applications.
Energy Observer Productions I Antoine Drancey
Energy Observer Productions I Amélie Conty
Solar and hydrogen technologies onboard Energy Observer.
OVERVIEW OF THE BOAT
Length
31m
Width
13m
Weight
30 tons
Height 14,85m
Draft 2.2m
Crew members 5
Average speed 5/6 knots
Energy Observer in Sweden.
The Energy Observer Foundation Exhibition village will be on display
at Jetty 2 at the V&A Waterfront harbour from 12 to 18 June. Entrance
is free and talks and videos about Energy Observer's Odyssey, the
17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and energy transition in
South Africa will take place daily.
Victorien Erussard, captain and founder of Energy Observer.
The Toyota Fuel Cell System integrated in Energy Observer.
BEYOND ZERO:
Achieving zero and adding new value beyond it as part of efforts to
pass our beautiful Home Planet to the next generation, Toyota has
identified and is helping to solve issues faced by individuals and
society, which Toyota calls “Achieving Zero”. Toyota is also looking
“Beyond Zero” to create and provide greater value by continuing to
seek ways to improve lives and society for the future.
For more information about Beyond Zero visit: https://global.
toyota/en/mobility/beyond-zero/
Environmental Challenge 2050 – this aligned perfectly with Energy
Observer’s mission and activities. From that common ground, the two
have worked closely together on how a hydrogen fuel-cell system
could be adapted to maritime applications.
The maritime-specific system was developed by Toyota Technical
Center Europe in a mere seven months. It required a redesign of
the Mirai’s system, followed by the build and installation of the
compact fuel-cell module. The project successfully demonstrates
the adaptability of the Toyota fuel-cell technology to a variety of
applications outside of land-based vehicles.
“We are proud of the association with Toyota and its fuel-cell
system, as used on our ocean passages and tested in the roughest
conditions. After seven years and nearly 50 000 nautical miles of
travelling, including three ocean crossings, the Energy Observer
energy supply and storage system is now very reliable. We believe
that the Toyota fuel-cell system is the perfect component for this,
industrially produced, efficient and safe. Being an ambassador for the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our mission is to promote
clean energy solutions and we share with Toyota the same vision for
a hydrogen society,” says Victorien Erussard, founder and captain of
Energy Observer.
The Toyota fuel-cell system has proven its benefits already for
many years in the first-generation Mirai, and into the second
generation zero-emissions vehicle revealed in South Africa earlier
this year, but more recently other applications such as buses and
trucks have been under development. Toyota believes that hydrogen
is the catalyst for energy decarbonisation and such technology
acceptance can accelerate modular fuel-cell solutions.
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