- Maxeon Solar Technologies, Genevos, and Oceanvolt join OceansLab as Official Cleantech Partners
- Unique opportunity to become a lead partner for OceansLab with a mission to accelerate the uptake of high performance clean innovations through the world’s most extreme ocean races
OceansLab is pleased to confirm the support of clean energy enablers Genevos, Oceanvolt and Maxeon Solar Technologies as partners in its campaign as the world’s first hydrogen-electric race yacht.
Official Hydrogen Partner: Genevos
Genevos, a cleantech spin-off to OceansLab, will provide a turnkey hydrogen power solution, supplying both a 15 kW marine fuel cell, an ‘HPM-15’, in addition to gas engineering services. Genevos will define the strategy for power management and energy efficiency optimisation, and manage the hydrogen integration engineering in line with stringent marine safety standards.
Official Solar Partner: Maxeon Solar Technologies
Global leader in solar innovation, Maxeon will be the Official Solar Supplier to OceansLab, who will benefit from one of the most advanced solar cells today at 24.8 % efficiency. The same technology that is powering the world-renowned SunPower branded solar panels, manufactured by Maxeon. Maxeon’s flagship Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) cells will be encapsulated into a protective film to ensure resistance against water and impact. Over 1,000 solar cells will be installed onto the deck of the IMOCA covering 16 m2, capable of creating a total power output of more than 3.6kW, energy used to charge the batteries.
“We are pleased to be involved in such an ambitious project. Sailing the oceans requires an unprecedented level of performance and durability, making our unique solar cell technology the sole and best choice for OceansLab,” said Bill Mulligan, Maxeon’s CEO. “The boat features the same high-efficiency, high-reliability cells as those found in our record efficiency solar panels powering homes, businesses and utility-scale power plants on land, worldwide – a true testament to our innovation as a global solar leader.”
Official Propulsion Supplier: Oceanvolt
With a proven track record, Oceanvolt, pioneer and market leader in electric propulsion systems is excited to collaborate with OceansLab in this campaign. The partnership provides an excellent opportunity to combine both Oceanvolt’s expertise in electric power and propulsion systems for boats with the endurance and sustainability of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
“This collaboration will provide valuable insight and data that will assist in the further development of Oceanvolt’s unique electric propulsion systems compatibility with hydrogen fuel cell technology. The ultimate goal is to bring increasingly sustainable and reliable solutions to the market specifically designed for racing purposes. This is not just great news for Oceanvolt and OceansLab, but for the whole yachting community as well.” said Tommi Lassila, CEO of Oceanvolt.
Unique opportunity to partner with OceansLab
“We are delighted to welcome such forward-thinking progressive organisations to the OceansLab family. It is only by collaborating with clean technology enablers that the maritime sector will be able to make this urgent shift to clean energy a reality,” comments Sharp.
“The OceansLab programme allows us to showcase the performance and durability of this technology in the toughest environment on earth. With the IPCC {Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) targets for shipping emissions required to be reduced to zero by 2050, and the requirement for most vessels built from 2030 to be zero emissions, this campaign will be an important demonstration of how we can meet this target,” he concludes.
OceansLab is continuing its drive to align with like-minded organisations that not only share a spirit of adventure but are also working towards delivering a zero emissions infrastructure that will highlight the importance of clean technologies, both in the marine and wider environments.
The OceansLab IMOCA is currently under construction and will be launched later this year, ahead of the first transatlantic ocean race, the Transat Jacques Vabre starting in October.
