Bridging High Performance and Sustainability
Pioneer Clean-Tech
Prototype a stand-alone hydrogen-electric energy system as a practical zero-CO2 solutionEnergy Independence
Demonstrate the performance and reliability advantages of renewable, hydrogen-electric technologies over conventional diesel power units
The Energy Challenge is a bid set up by PS Racing to be the first vessel to win a round-world race on zero CO2, and to circumnavigate with zero backup fossil fuels on board. In collaboration with the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London, the team has developed a novel concept for a CO2-free, high efficiency, energy storage and distribution system.
The clean energy system is based on a hydrogen fuel cell (H2 FC) hybrid electric technology utilising clean-hydrogen that offers a low weight, high capacity, and quiet operation alternative to diesel hybrid electric systems.
System Benefits
Low noise and no vibration – Virtually silent operation
- Zero green house gas Emissions
- No new infrastructure requirements – Refuelling from renewable energy or shore power due to onboard power to gas storage, allows hydrogen infrastructure limitations to be bypassed
- Low running costs – Majority of refuelling is driven from renewables due to high mooring times of average boat user
- Scalability – Modular fuel cell technology
Weight – Similar to diesel gensets and significantly lighter than battery storage
- Redundancy – Storage of renewable energy through hydrogen and batteries
- Space efficiency and design flexibility (modular structure)
- Low maintenance – No moving parts

Low noise and no vibration – Virtually silent operation
- Zero green house gas Emissions
- No new infrastructure requirements – Refuelling from renewable energy or shore power due to onboard power to gas storage, allows hydrogen infrastructure limitations to be bypassed
- Low running costs – Majority of refuelling is driven from renewables due to high mooring times of average boat user
- Scalability – Modular fuel cell technology
Weight – Similar to diesel gensets and significantly lighter than battery storage
- Redundancy – Storage of renewable energy through hydrogen and batteries
- Space efficiency and design flexibility (modular structure)
- Low maintenance – No moving parts

System Operation
Docking and Maneuvering – Fuel Cell and Battery Hybridisation
For accelerating and obtaining peak power, batteries compliment power of fuel cell load by providing instantaneous power
Fuel Cell kept at optimum efficiency through hybridisation
The system benefits from the electric motor’s low-speed torque during low speed manoeuvring
Docking and Maneuvering – Fuel Cell and Battery Hybridisation
For accelerating and obtaining peak power, batteries compliment power of fuel cell load by providing instantaneous power
Fuel Cell kept at optimum efficiency through hybridisation
The system benefits from the electric motor’s low-speed torque during low speed manoeuvring
Steady State Motoring – Fuel Cell Power and Battery Recharge
- Fuel cell system powers the vessel exclusively when motoring at the cruising speed, typically at 70 – 75% of the maximum propulsion power, whilst simultaneously recharging the batteries
- High efficiency solar panels can have a significant effect on lowering fuel consumption, by covering the auxiliary power demand and even contributing to propulsion system during peak sunlight
Steady State Motoring – Fuel Cell Power and Battery Recharge
- Fuel cell system powers the vessel exclusively when motoring at the cruising speed, typically at 70 – 75% of the maximum propulsion power, whilst simultaneously recharging the batteries
- High efficiency solar panels can have a significant effect on lowering fuel consumption, by covering the auxiliary power demand and even contributing to propulsion system during peak sunlight
Recharge Under Sail – Surplus Renewable Energy Stored as Hydrogen
- Vessel captures energy from solar, wind, and hydrogenerator system, with the motor acting in reverse as a generator
Power to gas energy storage, through onboard electrolyser to produce and compress hydrogen, once batteries are fully charged
Recharge Under Sail – Surplus Renewable Energy Stored as Hydrogen
- Vessel captures energy from solar, wind, and hydrogenerator system, with the motor acting in reverse as a generator
Power to gas energy storage, through onboard electrolyser to produce and compress hydrogen, once batteries are fully charged