The Aura 51 is the first Fountaine Pajot model to be equipped with electric motors and an intelligent on-board energy management system in her Smart Electric® version. This new technology is the result of a collaborative work between the Fountaine Pajot teams and experts in energy transition, supported by the ODSea Lab innovation platform, created by Fountaine Pajot.
A FIRST DECISIVE STEP TOWARDS CARBONFREE BOATING WITH REAL RESULTS
By 2030 all the catamarans delivered by the group should be 100% electric. To achieve this goal, the Shipyard has created an innovation platform, OD Sea Lab, and before doing anything else, has carried out a 360° audit of its carbon footprint based on the independent GHG protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol).
“This is a brand-new experience for Fountaine Pajot Owners, a zero emissions experience, an experience marked by silence. This new ecoresponsible electric catamaran is the result of a collaborative effort by over 60 technicians, engineers and electrical experts who have spent more than a year actively working to develop a unique experience. For comfort under way, we’ve developed a tailor-made electronic solution to manage all energy flows. In addition, software allows the user to easily manage propulsion and optimise the use of renewable energies,” explains Romain Motteau, Deputy CEO of the Fountaine Pajot Group.
Mathieu Fountaine, also Deputy CEO as well as head of the ODSea Lab platform, commented on these trials: “With our Smart Electric® concept, we’re going far beyond just solar panels, holding tanks and optimised consumption management. Our numerous test phases in navigation enabled us to test the behaviour of this new catamaran, which is both high-performance and innovative, but also to validate the objectives we had set ourselves, in terms of silence, range and the efficiency of our Smart Electric® system.”
“Aware of the urgency of preserving the planet, we are living through a great cultural change and the new generation expects much of us at the dawn of this new era and these realisations. Our owners are also changing their needs and today expect their boat to be more environmentally responsible, while maintaining a high level of demand in terms of comfort. As part of an external audit, it has been established that 20% of our carbon footprint comes from production and 80% from the use of the boats,” explains Romain.
This model differs from her 4,000 predecessors by the new technology she carries. The advances involve the two pods, one under each hull, that propel the boat at the same time as their hydrogenerator is producing electricity, in addition to the energy provided by the solar panels. The objective was not only to design a boat with an electric motor, but they also wanted to develop a new approach by designing a fully electric boat offering a new experience in life on board and the use of the boat.
This ambitious project proves the capacity of the Fountaine Pajot group to move quickly towards the elimination of carbon from our cruising. The architecture of this system incorporates powerful and highly efficient electric motors tailor-made for the boats, they are equipped with fixed or folding propellers designed specifically to optimize performance. These motors are also designed to produce the maximum energy in a hydrogeneration mode under sail.
To allow complete management of energy on board, they have also developed tailor-made electronics to manage all the energy flows of the catamaran. Energy for propulsion, as well as energy for life on board in direct or alternating current. The system also manages the boat’s energy production, including solar panels, hydrogeneration and, if necessary, automatic production by the single generator. The system will use high-capacity lithium batteries for storage, allowing several hours of motoring and ensuring high levels of self-sufficiency when at anchor.
In addition, fully custom-developed software allows you to control the entire system. It integrates a new complementary interface to manage the propulsion, but also the consumption and production of energy in real time.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Multihull Solutions on 1300 855 338 or emailing info@multihullsolutions.com.au
Published in print January-March 2023
