The 42' sailboat known as the XV/1 was intended to demonstrate Haveblue LLC's patented technology[1] for the production, storage, and use of hydrogen on board a marine vessel. The anticipated range was to be a radius of ~300 nautical miles at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) on a full tank.[2]
Management issues at Haveblue LLC prevented the completion of the XV/1 project.
Technology overview
XV/1 schematic
The technology allows a marine vessel to be fully self-sustaining, without the need for fossil fuels. It uses technologies well known in the marine environment, such as solar panels, wind turbines, reverse osmosis water-makers, marine batteries, and regenerative electric motors in conjunction with fuel cells and the electrolysis of water.
It eliminates engine noise, vibration, exhaust fumes, and the risk of fuel spills that threaten our air and waters.[3]
A marine vessel obtains water from where it happens to be afloat (if necessary, it can also obtain water from a public utility).
The "water-maker" processes the water to the required level of purity.
The electrolysis unit produces hydrogen and oxygen from the purified water.
The hydrogen is stored for use by a variety of power-plants, from fuel cell stacks to internal combustion engines.
The hydrogen-consuming power-plant provides energy for propulsion and/or supplies the vessel's onboard energy needs (the hydrogen can also be utilized to reduce emissions produced by internal combustion engines).
Whether docked, moored, or underway, the renewable energy resources of a boat provide the electricity needed to continuously produce hydrogen via electrolysis for immediate use or stored for use later. If shore power is available, it may also be used for the hydrogen production and storage process.[4]
