ALVA Yachts goes long with a 90-foot solar electric superyacht boosted by hydrogen and wing sails

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2023

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Luxury electric boatbuilder ALVA Yachts is doing what many in the maritime industry consistently strive toward – building vessels bigger and better. Its latest solar electric catamaran is a 90-foot superyacht called the OCEAN ECO 90 H2 – in addition to zero-emissions propulsion and sustainable power, it adds hydrogen fuel cells and a wing sail propulsion system to alleviate any need for fuel aboard. Oh, don’t forget the jacuzzi up top.

ALVA Yachts is a German company founded in 2020 by Mathias May and Holger Henn, evolving out of PICA yachts. It was originally founded in 2013 – launching over forty 20- to 30-foot sailing and electric powerboats in its tenure.

We’ve covered the boatbuilder more and more as of late as it looks to create the next generation of zero-emission yachts by developing a growing lineup of solar electric catamarans that are as luxurious as they are sustainable.

In the past three years alone, ALVA Yachts has introduced a 50-foot cruiser, two electric sailboats in lengths of 72- and 82-feet, plus 60- and 90-foot all-electric yachts, including the OCEAN ECO 60, which debuted in 2022 and is now in production.

Last month, ALVA introduced a new 78-foot solar electric catamaran slotted between the OCEAN ECO 60 and OCEAN ECO 90 – the latter of which was previously available as an all-electric or diesel-hybrid superyacht.

Today, however, ALVA has gone all in on fuel-less yachts; a new version of the OCEAN ECO 90 adds hydrogen and wind power to ensure true zero emissions. Have a look.

ALVA is building its first fuel-less electric superyacht

The boatbuilder announced today that the build of its first OCEAN ECO 90 H2 solar electric superyacht is underway and will arrive as its first vessel to run without any fossil fuels, producing zero emissions.

The fully electric superyacht is propelled by two 250 kW motors as standard, with an optional upgrade to a 2×480 kW system. The motors are powered by a 500+ kWh battery pack aboard that can recharge using 200 square meters of solar cells atop the vessel that can provide up to 40 kilowatt-peak (kWp) power from nothing but the sun.

What’s new on the OCEAN ECO 90 H2 is the integration of hydrogen fuel cells as an additional zero emissions range extender, supplied by EODev and integrated by SECO Marine. Lastly, the solar electric superyacht will feature an Oceanwings wind propulsion system from Ayro that utilizes wind sensors on the wing sails to analyze data and adjust the wing sail angle and camber automatically.

The result is a 90-foot catamaran with several sustainable fail-safes to ensure the vessel stays powered for long journeys at sea.

Aside from its ultra-green performance specs, the vessel is still a luxury superyacht. It features an open-air concept that includes an open flybridge and helm, plus a sky lounge, cocktail bar, and top-deck jacuzzi. Other features include a large galley with a full-size fridge, an island with bar stools, and a large dining table that seats twelve guests.

The owner of the first ALVA OCEAN ECO 90 H2 has already stated they plan to use the electric superyacht for commercial use, including private and corporate events, plus charters to showcase that environmentally safe, luxury sailing is possible. ALVA Yachts CEO Holger Henn spoke to the company’s latest build as well:

We are very happy to have found such a confident and innovative client that pushes us to explore new technologies. This project would not be possible without our classification partner DNV which has established new ground rules especially for us because this has never been done before. In addition to DNV, our engineering partner iYacht has surpassed our expectations when faced with such advanced engineering challenges. What is special about this project is certainly the leap that we are making in technology. A superyacht that can operate without fossil fuel is something we could only dream of. But with the help of strong partners and a lot of effort from the ALVA team, we want to show what is possible in boat building today.

As previously stated, ALVA’s first OCEAN ECO 90 H2 is already in production, and it is expected to make its maiden voyage in late 2024.

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What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

Published

10 hours ago

November 16, 2024

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What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

On today’s informative episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda engineers Jason Hwang and Emilio Sanchez to talk us through some of the things that make the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue EV feel like a real Honda, and why that matters.

Jason and Emilio talk about some of the choices they made to make the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX feel different from its GM-branded cousins, and explain why this was much more than a case of badge-engineering. Give it a listen, then let us know what you think of the Prologue and ZDX in the comments.

Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Learn more by clicking here.

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Environment

The Eastern US’s first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

Published

13 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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The Eastern US's first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

CF EV charging — Photo: Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

The first EV charging hub funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program in the Eastern US is now online in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

The town installed the region’s first DC fast chargers (four ports), along with four Level 2 chargers, at 59 North Main Street in South Deerfield.

These new charging stations, funded with $2.46 million from the CFI program, are conveniently located near Interstate 91 in Franklin County, the most rural county in Massachusetts, which serves drivers from Connecticut up to the Canadian border.

The hub also features local and regional bus stops and designated bike lanes with secure onsite bike racks. The chargers are meant to cater to everyone: from local residents and visitors to municipal EVs and commercial vehicles that service the region’s businesses, like those in food and beverage manufacturing.

Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, sees this as a model for future projects:

Multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The Town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local commerce.

In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased climate change-driven flooding from nearby rivers, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and the Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens, planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs, and the creation of new greenspace in the center of Deerfield.

The Biden-Harris administration’s CFI Grant Program is expanding EV infrastructure nationwide. It offers grants for projects that complement and expand upon the initiatives of the NEVI program in urban, rural, and disadvantaged and low-income communities. So far, the CFI Grant Program has allocated over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects across the US, encouraging private investments and expanding the EV charging network to make EV ownership more practical and convenient.

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Environment

Kia’s new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Published

13 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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Kia's new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Kia’s upcoming EV4 electric sedan was just spotted testing in the US for the first time. The low-cost EV is expected to make its big debut by the end of the year. Here’s a look at the new model.

The EV4 will round out Kia’s new “EVs for all” master plan launched last year. Kia showcased three new models, the EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October 2023.

During the event, Kia outlined its new global strategy to “lead and accelerate the EV revolution” with a wide range of models priced from $30,000 to $80,000.

Kia plans to rapidly expand its lineup with a series of smaller, lower-priced models. It launched the EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, which is already proving to be a hot seller in the US. Starting at under $55,000, the EV9 is still a great deal compared to others in its class, but Kia plans to go even lower.

The EV3 and EV4 are expected to be among the most affordable electric vehicles when they arrive in the US.

Kia’s new EV4 is now testing in the US

Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s new EV4 sedan was recently caught driving on US streets for the first time.

The latest image from KindelAuto doesn’t reveal much more than what’s been shown in the past, but the fact that it’s now testing in the US is significant.

Kia EV4 caught on US streets for the first time (Source: KindelAuto)

Kia’s EV3 is already on sale in Korea, starting at around $30,000 (42.08 million won). Earlier this week, the company said its new compact SUV is now available across Europe, starting at around $38,000 (36,000 euros) with a “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP).

Next up will be the EV4. Kia is expected to officially reveal the new EV by the end of the year, with deliveries starting in 2025. It could be as soon as next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show.

The interior will feature Kia’s advanced new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens. An otherwise minalimalistic design is expected inside.

Kia’s EV4 will also be available in a hatchback variant. Although the hatch is likely aimed at European buyers, it was also recently spotted testing in the US for the first time.