From hybrid engines to high-tech wastewater treatment, new developments in naval architecture and design are helping superyachts reduce their environmental impact. Such topics are placed under the spotlight each year at the Superyacht Design Festival and this year will be no different with a panel of designers addressing the realities of a fossil-free future. But until then, we take a look at some of the innovative technologies already in action on board the world's most environmentally-conscious boats...
Despite measuring 107 metres LOA and with a volume of 5,844 GT, the newly-launched Benetti yacht Luminosity features a unique diesel-electric propulsion system with clean exhausts and a battery bank for up to 12 hours of silent operation at anchor. A considerable engineering feat, Luminosity runs on six 1,000kW generators that power two Azipods to help reduce fuel consumption by as much as 20%.
Black Pearl features controllable pitch propellers that feed power back into the ship via a pair of shaft generators, providing enough power to support the yacht's hotel load. Energy is saved at every turn on board the 106.7m sailing superyacht, from the HVAC system to her advanced DynaRig sails that allow Black Pearl to take advantage of the eco-friendly natural resource of the wind.
The 83.5m Feadship yacht Savannah uses the Dutch yard's pioneering Breathe propulsion system - which allows for five different operation modes from diesel and diesel-electric combinations to fully electric. Power comes from a 30-tonne lithium-ion battery bank capable of holding a million watts of electricity. But even in diesel mode, Savannah is highly efficient, with 30 per cent lower fuel consumption than her contemporaries thanks to her dynamic hull shape and steep entrance angle.
Sailing yachts are generally the more eco-friendly option for minimising your impact at sea, but the 40 metre Rainbow has gone one step further and adopted advanced technology to reduce impact even further. Rainbow was launched in 2012 by Holland Jachtbouw and designed by Dykstra Naval Architects as a replica of the original America’s Cup-winning 1930 Rainbow built for Harold Vanderbilt. The J-class superyacht has been constructed for optimal sailing performance and is powered by a hybrid propulsion system that improves fuel efficiency and reduces sound pollution while under motor.
The 90 metre Lürssen-built superyacht, Ice, originally known as Air when it was launched in 2005, made waves for being one of the first superyachts on the water outfitted with electrically-powered Azipod propellers within her propulsion system. The diesel-electric generators supply power to two azimuth thrusters, which have the added benefit of giving a comfortable, vibration-free ride as well as seriously reducing emissions while underway. Thanks to the advanced technology of her engines, the Tim Heywood-designed, black-hulled Ice can reach a top speed of 18.5 knots and offers an explorer-class cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles when sailing at a speed of 15 knots.