The world's first green hydrogen refueling plant for pleasure boats comes to life in Italy. An initiative promoted by NatPower H which will install refueling stations designed by the Zaha Hadid Architects studio in 25 marinas.
The first, expected by the summer of 2024, will require an investment of 100 million euros. The ambitious goal is to implement at least 100 refueling stations within the next six years, with the prospect of extending this model beyond the Mediterranean Sea.
Green hydrogen, produced with wind, solar and other renewable energy infrastructure, is converted into a stable, natural resource using NatPower H technologies to meet the growing global demand for sustainable energy sources. Emitting only water vapor and hot air, hydrogen generates electricity in a fuel cell. The 100 operational refueling stations by 2030 will supply up to 3650 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, eliminating approximately 45,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from Mediterranean recreational vessels each year.
In the nautical sector, there is a growing commitment to building increasingly sustainable boats, with numerous shipyards promoting solutions to mitigate the impact of their activities on the environment. The creation of marine protected areas with a ban on the use of diesel engines further highlights the importance of sustainability also in the yacht and megayacht segment, pushing the entire industry towards eco-friendly innovations. However, this fast energy transition is hindered by the lack of infrastructure for the distribution and supply of zero-impact energy sources.
