It is possible that the Protocol for the 37th America’s Cup will contain a provision that all teams must use hydrogen powered support boats. Here’s the project Emirates Team New Zealand has been working on
Following Emirates Team New Zealand’s successful defence in Auckland of the 36th America’s Cup in March, the Defender is currently focusing on many different aspects of the 37thAmerica’s Cup.
While the foiling AC75 boat will remain with improvements of the design rule, the media in New Zealand are following the end of the three-month exclusive negotiating period between New Zealand agencies and ETNZ regarding funding for the next America’s Cup. ETNZ will commence discussions with other nations to look into options regarding hosting AC37 events.
The prospect Challengers, including Italian Luna Rossa team, are looking for the Protocol governing the 37th America’s Cup in order to organize their participation.
Hydrogen innovation
Included this bigger picture, America’s Cup Defender and Emirates Team New Zealand have committed to drive hydrogen innovation in the marine industry by developing hydrogen powered chase boats for the 37th America’s Cup. They have been working with AFCryo, a Christchurch based innovative company in design, development and manufacture of composite cryostats for the cryogenic and superconducting industries.
Currently the Emirates Team New Zealand designers are working on a prototype hydrogen powered foiling chase boat, to be built at the team’s North Shore build facility, capable of standing up to the demands of supporting an AC75 throughout all aspects of an America’s Cup campaign.
Once launched and verified, and with the support of the Challenger of Record Ineos Team UK, it is possible that the Protocol for the 37th America’s Cup will contain a provision that all teams must use hydrogen powered support boats. This would also apply to the event and race support boats, which will have a considerable impact on the reduction of consumption of fossil fuels across the event.
An emission free statement and sustainable future energy
Technical Director Hugh Reynolds is leading the project for AFCryo, an organization that has been working in cryogenics and clean-tech solutions for 17 years. “We are a strong proponent of green hydrogen and are manufacturing hydrogen production systems in New Zealand” he stated. “It is exciting to work with Emirates Team New Zealand on such an aggressive development curve and timeline to deliver on water hydrogen storage and power. The opportunity to contribute to such an exciting project aligns perfectly with our view of sustainable future energy.”
Emirates Team New Zealand continues to be at the forefront of innovation and we intend to really drive the development curve of new and clean technology in the marine industry.
It is our hope that we can make a seismic shift into hydrogen power and an emission free statement for the industry. This initiative is not without risk as we have very specific operating criteria within the team and the America’s Cup, so it is not a small undertaking.
Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand CEOInnovation: the driving force behind the America’s Cup
Behind the push into hydrogen power on the water there is Ineos Team UK and Challenger of Record Team Principal & Skipper, Sir Ben Ainslie. “For nearly two centuries the America’s Cup has pushed the boundaries in design and engineering, whilst ensuring innovation benefits the wider marine industry. With so much investment in hydrogen across the world, shifting to foiling chase boats powered by hydrogen could well prove to be a sustainable and practical solution for the future of the marine industry, while supporting the AC75’s which are reaching speeds in excess of 50 knots.”
Elements of the hydrogen innovation will also be assessed and developed into how they can potentially be utilised in the functions of the next generation of AC75’s also.
