The 37th America's Cup is not only casting its shadow in terms of sailing. The pre-regattas for the actual Cup, which begins on 12 October, started off Barcelona on 22 August. As per protocol, the defenders from New Zealand stipulate the use of hydrogen-powered chase boats. Each of the six challengers must have at least one HSV (Hydrogen-powered Support Vessel) in their fleet of support boats. These must be at least ten metres long and have 160 kilowatts of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion to achieve a cruising speed of 25 knots and a minimum range of 75 nautical miles - and full foiling at a boat speed of 24 knots or more. Finally, the 75-foot-long Cuppers will once again be flying over the race course on hydrofoils in this edition.
Top speed 50 knots, range 180 nautical miles
The Bluegame model BGH-HSV has already reached the specified top speed of 50 knots. The 10.80 metre long, 4.20 metre wide and 5.5 tonne displacement carbon cat was created for the American Magic team. The pod drives are integrated into the masts of the front foil; Bluegame does not provide any information on the performance of the Lucchi electric motors.
"The development of the BGH involved a number of extremely complex challenges in terms of design, engineering and materials research," explains Bluegame founder Luca Santella. "The efforts and significant investment in research and development to achieve the required performance, speed, manoeuvrability and reliability have paid off. The result represents a new, historic milestone in the application of cutting-edge technologies for more sustainable boating."
Hydrogen stored in cryogenic tanks at 350 bar
For the fuel cells, the Italians cooperated with the French manufacturer EODev, which supplied two 80-kilowatt REXH2 units that are powered by three 63-kWh batteries. Once the four cryogenic tanks with a total of 33 kilograms of hydrogen - stored at a pressure of 350 bar - are full, BGH HSV is expected to achieve a range of around 180 nautical miles. The conversion of the entire quantity of hydrogen into energy continuously provides 160 kilowatts of power, which, according to Bluegame, enables an autonomy of around three and a half hours.
The defenders of Emirates Team New Zealand were the first team to present their hydrogen-powered supplier "Chase Zero" at the beginning of 2022 - with two fuel cells from Toyota, one per hull. Bluegame plans to deliver a second unit of the BGH-HSV in the coming weeks, then to the French America's Cup syndicate Orient Express Racing Team.
Bluegame manufactures yachts up to 23 metre length and belongs to the Sanlorenzo Group. Its founder Massimo Perotti recently accepted the first 50Steel a 50-metre format on which the on-board power comes from fuel cells from Siemens Energy. As these contain an integrated reformer that converts methanol into hydrogen, there is no need for high-pressure tanks.
The Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team had its VPLP construction built by Persico Marine and painted in the metallic colour of its AC75. Four cryogenic tanks are bunkered with a total of 33 kilograms of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 bar.
