Toyota fuel cell system to be used for electric yacht Hynova 40
Toyota’s modular H2 propulsion solution REXH2 will be used for another maritime application: The system will be installed in the Hynova 40, a twelve-meter yacht for up to twelve passengers. The system has already been tested on board the Energy Observer catamaran.
While the Energy Observer mainly uses electricity generated from sun and wind for propulsion, the Hynova is a battery-powered yacht on which Toyota’s fuel cell serves as a hydrogen-based range extender. “We welcome the opportunity to further expand the testing of our hydrogen technology to another maritime application. Following the integration of our Fuel Cell module in the Energy Observer boat, we have further adjusted the module to fit in the EODev Hydrogen Range Extender,” says Thiebault Paquet, Director of the Fuel Cell Business Unit at Toyota Motor Europe.
The fuel cell module within the REXH2 engine develops a net nominal power of 60 kW and is based on the technology of the Toyota Mirai. Joint research and development between Energy Observer Developments (EODev) and Toyota has made it possible to adapt the technology perfectly to the difficult conditions of the marine environment. The propulsion system has been tested on board the Energy Observer on the open sea over more than 7,000 nautical miles – including transatlantic crossings, according to the company’s headquarters.
From Toyota’s point of view, the new maritime application underlines the fact that fuel cell technology can be flexibly modified for different applications. It is also used in cars, buses and trucks as well as in forklifts and generators, the Japanese say. In addition to supplying fuel cell modules, Toyota Motor Europe will also offer technical support and expertise in the future.
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