Scheider: Could you begin by telling me a little about Saint-Malo, the birthplace of the Energy Observer project and the starting point for the Route du Rhum transatlantic yacht race? And the mission behind the Energy Observer project?
Viviès: While Energy Observer dropped anchor in Malaysia, for its 74th stopover, our educational exhibition was on display in Saint-Malo, in France. As you say, this was where the project was born and also the starting point of the ‘Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe’, the legendary solo transatlantic race that takes place every four years, in November.
We have a strong symbolic connection to this location, and were happy to receive more than 50,000 visitors – including 1,100 schoolchildren – during the weeks preceding the start of the race.
The primary aim of event is educational, emphasizing the environmental impact of maritime transport. We use that as the starting point for our message behind the energy transition, explaining how it is a necessity; and illustrating it with the Energy Observer’s adventure.
Everything we show is based on facts: we prefer a scientific approach, rather than trying to play on people’s guilt – nothing good comes from that. The whole exhibition, including the panoramic Ferris wheel, is powered by the GEH2® electro-hydrogen group from our industrial subsidiary EODev (Energy Observer Developments). This is a proven zero-emission energy solution, and its full potential for event applications can be seen in our demonstration.
The exhibition dedicated to Energy Observer, the sustainable energy and hydrogen covers 210 square meters. There are two geodesic domes, linked by a tunnel, where visitors can discover a timeline that traces the history of energy transition and ecological awareness. We also showcase the Energy Observer laboratory, which also benefits from the expertise and support of the ADEME (French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management).
The domes house spectacular immersive and educational exhibitions. Using monumental projections, and screens showing the technologies onboard the laboratory ship, we help the public to really understand what hydrogen brings – both at sea and on land. We also present the solutions encountered around the world, through the prism of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, for which Energy Observer is the first French ambassador.
Scheider: You mentioned hydrogen. What role can this play in energy transition, particularly for industry?
Viviès: The chemical properties of hydrogen gas make it essential to the future of energy. Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe. Light, its energy density is three times higher than that of fossil fuels. Moreover, it can store excess energy. It has clear benefits in the acceleration of decarbonization. And, when it is obtained in a renewable way, no CO2 emissions or fine particles are created, either in its production or in its use: it is decarbonized! Energy Observer, which produces its hydrogen from sea water, demonstrates this every day.
If we want to meet the objectives set for the development of renewable energies, the reduction of fossil fuel consumption and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, hydrogen is the preferred option. But, currently, 96% of the hydrogen produced in the world is from fossil fuels. We must therefore succeed in producing low-carbon hydrogen at a large scale in order to decarbonize not just industry, but also transport. I'm thinking in particular of “heavy mobility” (trucks for transporting goods, for example, or maritime transport on the high seas), which are known to have a significant environmental impact.
To answer your question precisely, in all sectors that adopt hydrogen for their industrial processes, industry is moving towards decarbonization. In fact, France is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
We’re ready for the challenge!
Scheider: Could you describe your commitment to the hydrogen economy?
Viviès: Like Ulysses' return to Ithaca, Energy Observer is on a long journey that will end in 2024, with the ship’s return to France during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. However, the adventure has already allowed us to work consistently in the promotion of hydrogen technologies.
In 2019, Energy Observer Developments (EODev) was created to develop and industrialize sustainable, reliable, and accessible energy solutions that use hydrogen. Among EODev's innovations, I can mention the GEH2®, an electro-hydrogen unit that can replace the tens of millions of diesel generators currently in circulation around the world. This is a commitment on land. But there’s more to it than that: people must also understand how much their way of life depends on maritime transport.
World trade depends on it. Clothing, which is most often manufactured in Asia, fuel, spare parts, food, etc., all transit on the seas. There are nearly 100,000 commercial ships, or more than 2 billion tons to be moved when empty. That is considerable. Just think of those sea monsters, those oil tankers, 450 meters long! Maritime traffic alone accounts for 3% of global GHG emissions.
With that in mind, at the One Ocean Summit in Brest, in February 2022, we announced the Energy Observer 2 project. It is a multipurpose cargo ship of about 150 meters that will only use liquid hydrogen for its propulsion. No direct emissions will result. We can clearly state that this is a major step forward in the decarbonization of maritime transport. Its launch is scheduled for 2026. The potential of this is immense, as the principle is applicable to other sectors: river transport, motor sports, etc. I think you can imagine our impatience...
Scheider: To what extent do partnerships with players such as Rockwell Automation support your ambitions for the planet?
Viviès: Energy Observer has a rich and diverse ecosystem of partners; and these precious supporters have allowed the project to develop exponentially over the last few years. That includes the technological aspect, in terms of its impact throughout the world.
Rockwell Automation, for example, plays a crucial role alongside us because it has been the official technology provider for Energy Observer since 2017. Its hardware, software, and information solutions are decisive for the maintenance and management of the ship's energy infrastructure. Indeed, not only does Rockwell Automation allow us to control energy production, storage, and expenditure, but it also provides us with the essential operational data that allows the crew to access vital information in real time. Their technical support is critical.
Clearly, we share hopes for the future.
