Energy Observer is the first vessel in the world that can produce its own hydrogen on board, using seawater. It left Saint-Malo in June 2017 and has travelled more than 7,000 nautical miles, proving that the technology for maritime and land transportation is now ready. This is the message carried by Victorien Erussard, Jérôme Delafosse, and the entire Energy Observer crew to Venice, for the 25th stopover of their Odyssey for the Future. The vessel is moored on the island of Certosa until 15th of July and is accompanied by a touring exhibition aimed at raising public awareness. It has hosted many stakeholders in clean mobility, who came to present their work, projects, and experiences around the shared goal of making Venice a model for clean maritime mobility.
"Venice is a symbolic place to tackle the question of the future of maritime transport. Here more than anywhere else, the stakes for the protection of the environment, biodiversity and the health of the inhabitants are known to all. Energy Observer is an experimental vessel that paves the way for practical applications at sea and on land. An experience that Energy Observer shares with industrial and port stakeholders around the world, to prove that technologies are mature. The next step will be to give the impetus to develop these revolutionary solutions."
Victorien Erussard, captain and founder of Energy Observer
“I am happy to see that the whole stakeholder community of Venice responded to the invitation and contributed with crossed experiences and content. EO deep technical presentation has been an inspiration for the concrete future applications of green mobility in the very special environment of Venice Lagoon. EO is the proof of the available technology, now we need regulation and incentives for protected areas as the lagoon: the market will follow! As part of the sustainable redevelopment of Certosa island, the round table confirmed the location as a point of reference for yachting and green mobility.”
Alberto Sonino, manager of the Certosa marina
"ENGIE has chosen to support the Energy Observer project because it represents fundamental elements of innovation and ecology, which are absolutely necessary to improve the quality of life of all, today and tomorrow. We work on a daily basis to guarantee access to clean energies, such as 100% green electricity, photovoltaics, wind power, geothermal energy, but also smart building, intelligent lighting and electric mobility. We are convinced that, looking beyond that, the hydrogen on which the ENGIE Group is already developing complementary projects to the use of renewable sources, will be the vector of the future for a totally decarbonized world."
Gianluca Benelli, Director of the North-East section of ENGIE Italy, a player in the field of energy and services.
“We need to protect the fauna and flora that cannot adapt to this rapidly changing environment. Electric propulsion is not just better for the air quality consequences, it allows a better movement, better management of the boats, less maintenance et more confort for the passengers, while reducing our CO2 emissions. This is the right moment to start thinking about the future and we have to all work together to make this happen the moment is now.”
Pierpaolo Campostrini, CORILA and ISMAR-CNR
“We look forward to develop green boats in the Venice lagune. We just got the approval for electric boats, so we are currently watching different projects so in the next years hybrid boats will be able to sail in the Grand canale.”
Gianluca cuzzolin, Director of navigation, AVM/ACTV group
“Given the constant co-operation of the institutions in the field of renewable energies, a set of appropriate laws is called for soon, in order to go from an experimental phase to a large scale industrial one where products are immediately available."
Andrea Bos, President of Idrogenpark Scarl from Confindustria (Association of Italian Manufacturers)
The following were present: the European Project Office of the City of Venice, the Port Authority of Venice, the Harbor Master's Office, the Coast Guards, the Chamber of Commerce with Assonautica, Confindustria, CORILA and ISMAR-SNR, the University of Padua, AVM / ACTV, RINa, Veritas, Engie, Delanchy, AirLiquide.
About Energy Observer
Energy Observer is the first autonomous hydrogen vessel that emits no greenhouse gases or fine particles. This electrically propelled vessel of the future operates through a mix of renewable energies and a system that produces carbon-free hydrogen from seawater. This technological and scientific challenge aims to test cutting-edge technologies in extreme conditions, anticipating the energy networks of the future that could be used on land. Energy Observer is currently conducting an Odyssey for the Future that will last six years (2017-2022). During this time, it will visit 50 countries and call at 101 ports to raise public awareness about key aspects of the environmental transition, in particular: renewable energies, biodiversity, mobility, and the circular economy, through the stopovers made by this traveling village, on social media, and in a series of documentaries. This world tour is led by Victorien Erussard, founder and captain, and France's chief ambassador for the UN's 17 sustainable development goals, and Jérôme Delafosse, head of the expedition and director of the documentary series. Energy Observer received the High Patronage of Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, as well as the official support from the European Union, UNESCO and IRENA. | 
