The story behind a world first all-electric hybrid propulsion system

If you have to generate enough energy to keep a sailing vessel running on renewables, you're going to need to harvest a lot of energy. And what better way to harness the power of the wind than with hydro generation?

Solving this was the beginning of the journey for Hundested and sailing yacht Zero and, after careful consideration, they settled on a system that could both propel the boat and generate electricity.

This is what Hundested built.

The result is a world-first configuration featuring two distinct units placed forward and aft. While both can handle propulsion and regeneration, one is optimised on harvesting energy. Under sail, this system can regenerate up to 250 kilowatts of power, continuously feeding the yacht’s massive five MWh battery.

The focus on energy conservation went far beyond the propulsion system itself though. Because every watt matters on a battery-powered vessel, Hundested had to completely rethink secondary systems, like cooling and hydraulics.

Instead of running pumps continuously — something which has long been the industry standard — these systems were engineered to run only on demand. This energy-conscious mindset is proving so successful that the technology is beginning to transition into motor vessels.

Creating something new like the all-electric hybrid propulsion system also required more in-depth testing. Hundested had to upgrade their production facilities and create new test setups to ensure it integrated seamlessly into the rest of the ship’s workings.

The impact of sailing yacht Zero and this first all-electric hybrid propulsion system of its size will be felt by the industry for years to come.

And, to find out more, watch the video below: