The vision is that of the first network in the world for the supply of green hydrogen for boating (and beyond). It starts from NatPowerH, an “offshoot” of the NatPower group, a holding company with a Ligurian “heart” and headquarters in Luxembourg which includes 95 companies, considered one of the main independent developers of infrastructure projects for the creation of clean energy: solar, wind, storage and indeed hydrogen.
The start will be from Italy, in particular this summer from Venice, but the group already has advanced negotiations with twenty-five Italian ports and marinas, including Genoa (in recent days the meeting with the mayor Marco Bucci), La Spezia and Trieste. “Our goal is to reach one hundred by 2030. The implementation process is obviously also affected by the processes for concessions and the various authorizations and certifications,” explains Andrea Minerdo, from Savona, CEO of NatPowerH.
Step back. Hydrogen is one of the fuels currently being tested in water mobility. In particular, in nautical and obviously also in shipping, with larger scales. For example, the projects of Sanlorenzo are at an advanced stage, which will soon debut with the first hydrogen yacht, the 50 Steel, which through a fuel cell system will transform the fuel – green methanol – into hydrogen and therefore energy for on-board services and maneuvering. Also the group led by Massimo Perotti, with the Bluegame brand, this summer will launch the tenders of the America’s Cup teams, American Magic and Orient Express-France, also powered by hydrogen, currently being developed in the home ports in La Spezia and for the hull in Genoa at Sangiorgio Marine.
Andrea Minerdo, CEO of Nat Power H
Not only. Yamaha recently announced that it will present the first hydrogen outboard engine at the next Miami Boat Show. “We believe that hydrogen represents one of the most effective solutions to boost the energy transition of the entire recreational boating sector. In particular, its use as an energy carrier through fuel cells and electric motors is proving to be one of the most promising options”, explains Fabrizio Zago, CEO of the Nat Power group, also from Savona.
It is no coincidence that NatPowerH has already signed partnerships with various players in the sector, including Sanlorenzo and Baglietto, the latter shipyard committed to developing a system that will purify sea water and separate it from oxygen, retaining hydrogen to power fuel cells and generate electricity for its yachts (the BZero line). One of the allies is also Linde, which will supply green hydrogen.
However, visions like this also need resources. “We invest 100 million euros on our own, without resorting to public funds of any kind, including Pnrr,” Minerdo continues. The infrastructures that will be installed in the marinas and ports will be special: the systems will have a signature “cover”, designed by star architect Zaha Hadid. “They will be 8 meters wide, equally long and 5 and a half meters high. They will also have a buffer zone of 5/10 meters around them” explains the CEO of NatPowerH. What will marinas and ports gain from it, in addition to the proceeds of any sub-concession? “A return to communication, which also concerns the work designed by Zaha Hadid, and to business. Large yachts also plan their sailings according to refueling points.”