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Launch of green hydrogen pontoon: YCM paves way to sustainable yachting

  • 21 February 2024
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In line with the UN’s sustainability goals and as part of the collective initiative “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting,” the Yacht Club de Monaco is multiplying efforts to protect the environment, leveraging technology to achieve this aim. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the unveiling of the first green hydrogen autonomous pontoon, capable of filling 30 cylinders and supplying hydrogen to eight teams for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (July 1–6, 2024). “The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge was created 11 years ago. Today, it is with great satisfaction that I see how far we’ve come. Now, even with limited means, it is possible to produce green hydrogen,” commented Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco.

With the ambition of making Monaco the spearhead of responsible yachting, the Y.C.M. unveiled this project in the presence of several dignitaries, including Céline Caron-Dagioni, Government Counselor and Minister of Equipment, Environment, and Urban Planning; Patrice Cellario, Government Counselor and Minister of the Interior; Armelle Roudaut-Lafon, Director of Maritime Affairs; Olivier Wenden, Vice President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; Marco Casiraghi, engineer and initiator of the event; and Francesco Prazzo, CEO of SBM Offshore. This pontoon also reflects the CSR policy pursued by the Y.C.M., aimed at realizing the vision of the Sovereign, who is also President of the Y.C.M., emphasizing that “in the face of the climate emergency, proof must replace promise.”

Heading Towards the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

SBM Offshore, a loyal partner of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, has decided to make a special contribution for its 6th participation by installing this floating system that produces green hydrogen from renewable energy sources. Moored in the YCM Marina since January, its purpose is to supply eight teams in the Energy class ahead of the event. The goal is to help reduce the event’s carbon footprint and promote the responsible use of energy resources.

“The ever-growing demand for safe, sustainable, and affordable energy is one of the greatest challenges of our time. As pioneers in offshore solutions, we firmly believe that the oceans hold the key to addressing the urgent need for low-carbon solutions, with hydrogen being part of the answer,” explains Francesco Prazzo.

Green hydrogen and Hi-Tech: yachting at an ecological turning point

This type of facility has been trialled at previous editions of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and have undergone numerous improvements. Weighing 1.3 tonnes, this pontoon has a 20m2 surface area of floating solar panels linked to twice as many batteries to produce hydrogen continuously day and night. Cylinder fill-time is now 1 litre/minute. The pontoon also incorporates a remote control system to monitor electrolyser flow, battery charge, the heating and cooling system, as well as sensors, alarms and a dehumidifier. For the 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2024, teams will have a choice between 9 litre or 13 litre hydrogen cylinders. Each team is free to estimate its consumption according to its choice of power source with the right to produce energy during a race.

Recycling water solutions at YCM

At the same time, YCM is working hard to conserve resources by recycling water from its swimming pool using innovative technology developed by FGWRS. It’s the first time this system has been installed for a pool and it’s in Monaco, closely monitored by the Monegasque health authorities. Since June 2023, YCM members have been bathing in recycled water that is returned to the pool, particularly during the filter cleaning process, instead of using drinking water as was being done before. Over one million litres of water have already been treated in this way, equivalent to half an Olympic-size pool. Water from this state of the art FGWRS system is also used to clean boats and to water plants via a device called Aqua Sail in the form of recycled water cubes. These are being used by young sailors, Sailing School members, regatta competitors like the 400 sailor set to compete in the 40th Primo Cup (7-10 March 2024), Club members and YCM Marina staff and those using the private Touch & Go pontoon.

 

As a proactive player that leads by example with new technology on its own premises, all these actions are proof of the success of YCM’s environmental policy that aims to get everyone thinking about the impact their choices have on the environment. It’s an issue that will be at the heart of debates on Yachting Day organised by YCM on Thursday 21st March during Monaco Ocean Week. A packed programme will focus on exploration, the Explorer Awards in collaboration with the Explorer Club based in New York and the Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous.

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