The sea has always been the natural setting for communication and contact between peoples and civilisations, a geographic and cultural bridge spanning the sometimes vast distances between their homelands. Throughout history, this magnificent forum for cultural integration has encouraged the spread of mankind. But, by cruising its waters, a growing pressure was created on marine ecosystems and the coastal landscapes of the most industrialised countries, sometimes exposing them to damage and pollution.
The famous Italian yacht manufacturer Ferretti, which has built a formidable reputation through innovation and technology, now seeks to promote a ‘new yachting ethic’ that attaches much greater importance to the harmonious relationship between man and nature, preserving and exploring magnificent marine landscapes and eco-systems while producing zero emissions.
Earthwitness spoke to Maurizio Roman, CEO of Ferretti Group, during the launch of Ferretti Towers in Dubai recently. On the reasons why Ferretti has chosen to take the sustainable route, Roman says, “More and more people are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental problems and the need to protect our habitat. The Ferretti Group is convinced that people are looking towards green products and solutions – not merely as something to enhance their image and standing but from a genuine concern and respect for nature.”
Roman explains, “The market is definitely moving in the green and sustainable direction. There is a big potential for hybrid and clean technologies in the yacht industry. We have given a great deal of thought and decided to invest heavily in Research and Development of technologies that will help us serve the market and this planet better.”
For Ferretti, respect for the environment is a fundamental consideration in the development of new products. After years of investment in research and development, Ferretti recently announced the international début of a highly innovative hybrid propulsion system. For the first time a yacht over 20 metres in length can cruise in ‘Zero Emission Mode’. This marks the achievement of yet another goal by Ferretti, further evidence of the significant influence it continues to exert on the international nautical world.
A crucial role in the design and development of this innovation was played by AYT (Advanced Yacht Technology), Ferretti’s Engineering Division, created in 1989 with the aim of driving Ferretti’s constant commitment to innovation and improving the performance of the craft produced by the nine brands that make up the group. AYT worked in close collaboration with Diesel Centre, a Ferretti subsidiary company and a leader in propulsion system integration, which coordinated the exclusive supply of the entire system.
Looking beyond the now well-established diesel-electric propulsion system based on a diesel engine generating power for the electric motor, AYT has developed an innovative hybrid propulsion system that offers a diesel-electric function as just one of 5 operational modes. The innovative hybrid propulsion combines the reliability of the traditional diesel, which when selected transmits power directly to the propellers, with the ability to cruise in ‘Zero Emission Mode’, driven by two 70 kW synchronous electric motors applied in series to the propeller shaft and engaging with the reduction gears. The motors are powered by a pack of Lithium ion batteries, the most advanced technology in this field.
While operating in “energy storing” mode, the batteries rapidly store the energy produced by the diesel while under way. The batteries can also be recharged simply by plugging them to the shore power connection. For short range coastal cruises, the yacht can, for example, leave port, cruise around and return using only the electricity drawn and stored from the terrestrial network, providing significant energy savings and much less pollution.
All this may seem simple, but the onboard technology is in fact extremely advanced, as shown, for example, by the power conversion electronics between the battery pack and the electric motors, the variable speed functions between the electric motors and the battery pack combined with the related BMS (Battery Management System), and the energy flow display on the touch screen control system. The ZEM (Zero Emission Mode) Hybrid Propulsion system, an exclusive Ferretti patent, can operate in 5 different modes:
Diesel Propulsion and Energy Storing: The diesel engines, as well as handling normal propulsion, operate the electric motors. In this way they work as generators, rapidly recharging the propulsion battery pack.
Diesel-electric: The electric motors, disengaged from the diesel, drive the propellers and are powered by the on board generators and the propulsion battery pack.
ZEM Propulsion: The propellers are powered by the electric motors, disengaged from the diesel and operated exclusively by the propulsion battery pack, providing totally silent, zero emission operations.
ZEM Function: All the on-board utilities are powered by the propulsion battery pack, including air conditioning, boiler and ARG, enabling totally silent, zero emission functioning of the boat. Modes 3 and 4, for example, allow owners to enjoy the exclusive, unique experience of entering a bay, lying at anchor for several hours with full on-board functionality, then leaving, secure in the knowledge that the entire operation has been carried out in total silence and with zero emissions. In this way the yacht has no negative impact on the local environment.
Plug-in: During stays in port the propulsion battery pack is charged through a dedicated shore power connection.
All these modes are easily managed through a specially developed monitoring system. Touch screen selection of the various modes of propulsive energy transfer is immediate and intuitive. This new technology, also made possible through significant international collaborations, marks a concrete step forward by the nautical industry towards greater respect for the environment, an objective that Ferretti is working towards through its constant commitment to research and development.
Roman is excited that the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a firm commitment towards the environment. Given the considerable up-market developments along the UAE coastline, Ferretti expects a great deal of interest in their ‘Zero Emission’ yachts.
THE NEW LONG RANGE 23
AN EXPEDITION BOAT, MOCHI CRAFT STYLE
The first “Zero Emission Mode” motor yacht over 20 metres
The Long Range 23 is a revolutionary three deck motor yacht and with it Mochi Craft rewrites the history of the international nautical sector. Driven by the passion of Norberto Ferretti – and made possible by the years of research carried out by Ferretti’s AYT Advanced Yacht Technology division, led by Andrea Frabetti, in collaboration with the Studio Zuccon International Project – the new 75-feet Long Range 23 embodies an unprecedented distillation of innovation and technology.
The Long Range 23, fitted with the revolutionary “Zero Emission Mode” hybrid propulsion system, features the most cutting edge technology now on the market, offering owners the opportunity to select the propulsion mode that best reflects the needs of the moment – sailing, for example, in unpolluted areas with total respect for the environment, lying at mooring with zero emissions while accessing all the boat’s electrical facilities or entering and leaving port in absolute silence while creating no smoky exhaust emissions. Conceived for lovers of long-distance cruising and extended voyages, the Long Range 23 is the first craft to obtain the RINA “Green Star Clean Energy and Clean Propulsion” certification, the most rigorous certification standard that can be applied to a pleasure craft.
