Getting its name from a nymph in Greek mythology, Ephyra, protector of springs and those who bathe in them, this futuristic project for widespread hydrogen boating held its world première at the Monaco Yacht Show, and was inaugurated at the Monaco Yacht Club.

FROM TRADITION TO HYDROGEN BOATING

With the aim of protecting fresh and brackish waters of the Earth and all the creatures living there, this Swiss company, belonging to the ZE Holdings Group and owner of 51% of the Hynova shipyard in La Ciotat in southern France, which, in 2020 launched The New Era, the first electric/hydrogen vessel, presented its pioneering and fascinating vision, “the conscious yachting experience.”

“When you decide to work on the water, like I did as a captain – explains Chloé Zaied, general manager of Ephyra and president of Hynova – it is also your duty to preserve this ecosystem, which is so rich yet also so fragile.” This axiom became the basis for the philosophy behind the new company, focusing on defining a new concept of sailing, one that is more ecologically responsible, but also safe and long-lasting.

Today, the worldwide growth of pleasure boating, 87% of which are motorboats, is having a drastic impact on the fragile underwater world, contributing to pollution from carbon dioxide, oil leaks, noise, and sediment in the water. At the same time, as demonstrated in the experience of the Hynova shipyard, even an advanced solution like hydrogen boating still has multiple obstacles to becoming widespread caused by the transportation and storage costs for green fuel and legislation in regard.

Without taking into consideration that the origin of hydrogen still derives, for the most part, from fossil fuels. “The boating industry – notes Laurent Perignon, manager for Hynova – knows that hydrogen technology is ready and that clients are just waiting for ecological and virtuous solutions, but the biggest question remains, how to refuel a yacht.”

“THE CONSCIOUS YACHTING EXPERIENCE”

Ephyra has therefore prepared a sophisticated zero-impact ecosystem for hydrogen boating, which includes vessels with no polluting emissions, on site hydrogen production systems, and owners looking to the future, attracted by the exclusive services that belonging to a virtuous community can give them.

The process, which is different from other projects in the field, is using water electrolysis to extract the “green” hydrogen, activated by an electrical current coming from renewable energy sources such as solar panels placed is sheltered spaces near the piers and the latest generation wind turbines. Efficient (1 kg of hydrogen releases nearly three times more energy than 1 kg of petrol), light and clean, self-produced hydrogen eliminates the restraints of its transport and the random changes in the amount of energy available when relying exclusively on wind or solar power.

TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

Even vessels with hybrid propulsion have been designed to work together with the system, favouring designs and materials aimed at increasing speed and autonomy, in addition to sustainability. Electric engines are powered by a hydrogen battery, recharged by the green fuel stored under pressure in carbon fibre tanks.

Other batteries then store the excess energy, needed when shifting to faster speeds from cruising. A technical solution that guarantees elevated performance even over time, compared to a thermal engine, and, above all, is lighter, as well as faster in recharging. It is absolutely ecological: emissions are heat and clean water, which is then reused for services on board or to continue to power the electrolysis process.

Equipped with hydrojets, instead of classic propellers, Ephyra yachts – available in three models Open, Rover, Limousine – have a variable autonomy of between 75 and 120 miles (equivalent to around 5 to 10 hours of use) and have a cruising speed of between 12 and 15 knots, with maximum speeds of up to 22/25 knots.

THE HYDROGEN BOATING COMMUNITY

Also innovative is the access to the project. The owner of an Ephyra vessel, independent to whether they choose a private or shared refuelling station, “keys in hand”, becomes a part of a true community. The refuelling services, concierge, skipper hire and maintenance are all included in the program and, in addition, it is possible to rent out their yacht to other members of the community, or to choose one in any part of the world. Where the Ephyra “terminals” are located of course. Owners do not have to think of anything but getting on board.

To hear to the words of the designers on the birth, development and objectives of this project for respectful boating, here is the presentation video by Ephyra.