​The Mission Innovation Champions awards program supports innovation in clean energy. The annual awards are granted to energy- and climate-related project stakeholders. Didier Bouix, who heads the Energy Observer project at Liten, won one of the awards this year for his involvement in a project that aligns perfectly with the Mission Innovation Champions selection criteria.

Energy Observer, which was showcased at the Vivatech trade show in May, is the first-ever ocean vessel designed to be completely self-powering and—because it does not generate any greenhouse gases or fine particles—pollution-free. The project is spearheaded by captain and founder Victorien Erussard and film director and expedition leader Jérôme Delafosse. 

The vessel is a true oceangoing laboratory. It is powered by a mix of renewable energy—solar panels and rigid Oceanwings® wingsails—combined with a battery-based energy-storage system and a complete hydrogen chain designed by Liten, as well as a comprehensive energy management system, also developed especially for the project by Liten. The hydrogen chain, which includes a fuel cell and electrolyzer, has proven to perform adequately even in the extreme operating conditions and limited space aboard the Energy Observer.

The Energy Observer is in the third year of its six-year around-the-world mission. It is a fine example of what the future could hold for on-board and stationary energy systems that are both self-powering and operable in tight spaces.