When it comes to eco-friendliness and tree-hugging features, the world of superyachting still has a few tricks to learn from more developed industries such as the automotive field. Although not the greenest machines on the water today, many superyacht owners and their crew are making a conscious effort to cut marine pollution and spread the eco-warrior mentality wherever they go. To help celebrate Earth Day, and marine conservation in general, here we take a quick look at some of our favourite yachts that are making our planet’s oceans a safer place for all.
Ethereal
Built by Royal Huisman in 2008, Ethereal is regarded as perhaps the first true hybrid superyacht. Designed for world cruising, Ethereal is equipped with a 400 kWh battery store that can power a tiny village. She operates in stealth mode by using her silent hybrid propulsion system. Perhaps not the most modern-looking sailing yacht, underneath that exterior Ethereal is no ordinary superyacht.
Quinta Essentia
What sets Quinta Essentia apart from other yachts in her size class is the use of an advanced hybrid propulsion system. This involves the integration of the two conventional diesel engines together with two electric motors which are connected to variable speed generators. Guests can now look forward to a silent experience on board knowing that the energy consumed is far cleaner than the surrounding yachts at anchor.
Savannah
Feadship’s 83.5-metre Savannah made headlines back in 2015 for her green propulsion credentials. Praised for her hybrid propulsion characteristics, Savannah is fitted with an innovative single Wärtsilä diesel engine that works in tandem with an electric power plant that drives her azimuting thrusters. This allows her captain to choose between diesel, diesel-electric, or full electric power modes to offer a 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
Silver Wind
The 43.6-metre motor yacht Silver Wind is fitted with a hybrid propulsion system developed by Siemens and ISA Yachts. Onboard, two diesel generators supply power to the electric units and can work at variable speed, therefore minimising fuel consumption, the noise, the emissions and the maintenance needs. At electric mode, the total fuel consumption is 90 l/h for a range of 2600 nm. Not only fuel efficient, Silver Wind lives up to her name by delivering a top speed of 32 knots.
Home
Heesen Yachts’ Home’s hybrid credentials come from the two water-cooled DC electric shaft motors that she is fitted with that allows her to cruise at 9 knots using the generators alone. For passages, the captain can opt between two different forms of power: diesel mechanical or diesel electrical. These two systems can also be coupled to and used simultaneously for more flexible power management and increased efficiency.
Aria.S
Although she is equipped with a conventional propulsion system, no other yacht has embraced the solar panel strategy the way Arcadia Yachts’ Aria.S has. The photovoltaic cells on top of the superstructure have become a recognisable element of the Italian yacht builder’s line-up, and Aria.S is no different. These bad boys provide up to 5 kW of power, enough to guarantee self-sufficient energy for much of the equipment and electrical systems such as refrigerators, water circulation, toilettes, lights, A/V and electronics.
Sailing Yacht A
Although still covered under a veil of mystery and speculation, German shipyard Nobiskrug unveiled earlier this year that the industry-challenging 142.8-metre sail-assisted monster hides an advanced hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system beneath that crazy exterior of hers. This comes as no surprise as the yacht is considered one of the most forward-thinking afloat today.
Bartali
This Italian beauty houses an arsenal of clever batteries supplied by EST technologies in the Netherlands and are the latest development in LiPo (lithium polymer) batteries with a total capacity of 544 kWh. This powerful energy source is more than sufficient to supply the entire hotel system on board Bartali (ex Genesi) as well as the propulsion in what is referred to as ZEM, short for Zero Emission Mode.
Aviva
Abeking & Rasmussen’s new 98-metre Aviva is all about efficiency and she is fitted with power plant to match. Her hull shape is said to deliver a 20% reduction in drag and will offer superior sea keeping capabilities. Aviva is driven by a hybrid propulsion system that allows her to travel at 11 knots without the use of her main engines.
Divine
Columbus Yachts’ 40-metre Divine is equipped with a revolutionary hybrid propulsion system, offering the option to manoeuvre or spend time at anchor under electric power alone, while working in tandem with the diesel motors while underway to dramatically reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. All of this means that Divine not only manoeuvres noiselessly in marinas and anchorages but when needed, can reach a top speed of 21 knots.