X-YACHTS

Danish shipbuilder launches its first hybrid yacht

Danish shipbuilder X-Yachts recently launched its first hybrid yacht. In addition to the electric propulsion system, the X4.9E combines three energy sources: battery, diesel and sail. The last two can replenish the battery reserve.

The company's strategy is not to be at the forefront of the transportation revolution. X-Yachts is taking a more cautious approach, preferring to wait for the technology to mature. And when customers started wanting to buy something greener, management decided it was time for a hybrid yacht and designed the X4.9E in collaboration with Finnish Oceanvolt, writes New Atlas.

Oceanvolt supplied two 10 kW Servo Prop SD10 electric motors powered by a 28.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. Together they can accelerate a 12-tonne, nearly 15-meter yacht at four knots (7.4km/h) at 91km, after which the battery charge will drop to 10% and require charging.

But the captain of the X4.9E won't have to turn halfway, because there's an 11kW Fischer Panda DC diesel generator on board. The generator can directly power the engines, recharge the battery, or perform both functions at the same time. It is capable of replenishing battery power from 20% to 80% in about an hour and a half.

Wind power can also be used to replenish the battery - the yacht is equipped with a regenerative charging system. When a ship is sailing, the propellers in the water turn, becoming hydroelectric generators. According to the designers, in this way the yacht can generate up to 3.5 kW, charging the battery in 8-10 hours.

The X4.9E has been undergoing sea trials since June. The company does not disclose its cost, but the previous X4.9 diesel model sold for around €639,000. Surely the hybrid version will cost more.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory, in collaboration with British company M Subs Ltd, recently announced the development of the world's first long-range autonomous research vessel. The 24-meter yacht Oceanus will be powered by solar panels and a hybrid engine and will be AI-controlled.

Source:X-Yachts