Sustainable energies – The future also in the nautical industry?

Sustainable energies – The future also in the nautical industry?

Rethinking has become a topic that no one has been able to avoid in recent years. Not even the nautical industry. How much more can we expect from our planet? At what point do we stop and how do we change our footprint on the earth without completely giving up our comfort and luxury?  One thing is certain: in the long term, internal combustion vehicles have no moral right to exist in our leisure time.

Let’s start with the energy sources available to us.

Renewable energy sources include wind, water, sun, biomass and geothermal energy.

The expansion of electricity and heat generation from these sources is a central pillar of the energy transition. Their share of installed power plant capacity is growing continuously.

In order to make the switch in the long term and move forward with a clear conscience, wind, water and sun are particularly important. These greenhouse gas-neutral energy systems generate electricity and will be the most important form of renewable energy in the future.

Increasingly, the transport and heating sectors are relying on these three pillars, as is the nautical sector.

In addition, geothermal energy (heating) and biomass are available to us. However, the use of biomass can be problematic.

When we talk about “energy from biomass” or “bioenergy”, we are referring to the production of energy from plants or plant residues. These plant substances are actually stored solar energy. It is the sun, after all, whose radiation makes photosynthesis possible and thus ensures the growth of plants. Crops cultivated specifically for this purpose (rapeseed or corn), fast-growing woody plants or waste and residual materials from households, agriculture and industry are used.

How can biomass be used?

Biomass can be used in just as many ways, for example as biogas (mostly methane) to generate electricity and heat, or in liquid form as fuel from vegetable oil (biodiesel), or in solid form as pellets or logs, also to generate heat and electricity.

So far, alcohols produced from biomass can only be blended with conventional diesel or as bioethanol with conventional gasoline by transesterification of the oil with alcohol and cannot be used independently. The use of solid biomass, such as wood pellets (these are burned and possibly even imported), also performs significantly worse in the life cycle assessment.

Thus, it is clear that the use of water, wind, and solar makes the switch to renewable energy the more long-term solution so far.

With this information in mind, some shipyards have already given it some thought. As well as the automotive industry with pioneers such as Tesla, VW, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi and Nissan.

Their share of the market compared to internal combustion engines is steadily increasing.

Electric cars are not an invention of modern times or dreams of the future. On the contrary, the first foundations were laid as early as 1821, paving the way for the recently rediscovered electric mobility. However, the rapid rise in demand for combustion engines meant that these were not pursued with full force.

The Tesla Roadster ultimately secured the status of being the world’s first mass-produced electric car that is also suitable for use on highways. Both the driving performance and the range of around 350 kilometers speak in favor of this. The subsequent vehicles from other manufacturers demonstrate the massive forward momentum in electromobility.

So how is it going among the shipyards?

Shipyards such as Pure Volt from Berlin or Silent Yachts from Austria have opened the doors of commercial production of the E-Yachts. Of course, some other shipyards have as well E-Yachts or hybrids in sales or the option to have the E-motors installed.

Now, a new player is putting itself on the map to take the whole nautical e-industry to a new level.

ALVA Yachts is launching its first fully solar-powered luxury catamaran in 2022.

The planned models Eco Cruise 50, Ocean Sail 72, Ocean Sail 82, Ocean Eco 60, Ocean Eco 90 EX and Ocean Eco 90 the flagship of the shipyard are expected to open a new era of yachting and drive the new age with their progressive nature, distinctive design and self-sustaining propulsion without compromising on luxury.

We at Amoyachts are joyfully excited and are grateful to be the official representatives of the brand.

Read more about ALVA Yachts and the yard’s lofty goals in our upcoming blog.

Renewable energies – The future also in the nautical industry?