The 2008 Annapolis Sailboat Show on October 9-13 saw progress on several fronts for E motion Hybrids: preliminary planning for a multinational R&D project by the European Union, design talks with the first purchaser of our new 32 kw motor, pledges of new 144 VDC versions of standard marine appliances to go with our system and an offer from a major European manufacturer to become an OEM builder.
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| Climma air conditioning now available in 144 vdc |
| Our booth drew a variety of visitors, even though it was located well off the beaten boat show track. We talked to potential purchasers, journalists, boatbuilders, industry partners and the curious general public, including several children who took great delight in slamming the 4.5 kw motor back and forth from full forward to full reverse. |
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| Who's having more fun? |
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| Booth visitors got to see the 4.5 kw motor in operation. |
"Kids naturally see the obvious," says Dave Tether, CEO of Electric Marine Propulsion (dba E motion Hybrids), "infinitely variable speed, fingertip control and immediate back and forth response that would wreck a diesel. They're not blinded by preconceived ideas about hypothetical horsepower."
Tether spent much of his time at the show with marine electrical expert and journalist Nigel Calder, who has installed a 16 kw E motion hybrid system on his Malo 46. The two began laying plans for an upcoming EU project to optimize hybrid electric propulsion for commercial and recreational vessels up to 24 meters.
The €2.2 million ($3 million) effort will use E motion hybrid drive to develop a range of technological refinements for hybrid-electric propulsion, including an automated control system and a torque-adapted self-pitching propeller. [See Nigel's blog on the Malo website for more details.]
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Other noteworthy developments at the show included:
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- Extensive discussions with Bill Southworth, the first buyer for our new 32 kw motor. The motor is still undergoing bench testing, but Southworth plans to install it in his 58' LOA custom carbon fiber yacht, Barbara Ann, as soon as it's available.
- Pledges from representatives of Spectra Watermakers and Climma marine air conditioners to produce 144 vdc models for operation directly from the E motion battery pack. A 144 vdc watermaker would work much more efficiently than the standard 12 and 24 volt versions. And a 144 vdc air conditioner would eliminate the need for the inverter required for Climma's current AC models.
- An offer from an executive of Jeanneau, one of the industry's most respected brands, to provide the E motion system as a factory-installed option on the company's elegant yachts.
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Jenneau is part of Groupe Bénéteau, parent company of Lagoon Catamarans, Bénéteau and CNB. Lagoon already has installed its first E motion system in a Lagoon 500, which was launched September 10 at company facilities in Bordeaux.
Tether will fly to France next month to rejoin the Lagoon production team, who will be outfitting the 50' cat at Bénéteau docks in La Rochelle.
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Hybrid Lagoon 500 after launch in the café
au lait-colored Garonne River at Bordeaux |
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Neat Spectra watermaker installation
under galley sinks |
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| Wow - a flat torque curve! |
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