Space Chase and INEOS Britannia: Pioneering Hydrogen Innovation

As the 37th America’s Cup reaches its thrilling conclusion, the competition has been about more than just sporting prowess and cutting-edge sailing. For the first time in the event’s prestigious history, hydrogen-powered boats have played a significant role, signalling a new direction for marine technology.

For the first time, all participating teams had to build and operate at least two hydrogen-powered foiling chase boats as part of their campaigns. This mandate not only showcased the future of sustainable sailing but also underscored the potential of hydrogen in revolutionizing the maritime industry.

Among the standout innovations is Chase Zero, a hydrogen-powered foiling chase boat developed by Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ). Alongside them, INEOS Britannia has also embraced hydrogen technology building their own hydrogen foiling chase boats, certified by Miller Marine and contributing to a growing trend of sustainable practices within the sport.

Chase Zero, ETNZ’s groundbreaking 13-metre chase boat, has been at the forefront of this shift toward sustainable marine propulsion. Designed with performance and eco-friendliness in mind, Chase Zero was rigorously tested to ensure it met the extreme demands of the America’s Cup, a competition where chase boats need to be as fast and capable as the cutting-edge sailing yachts they support.

Powered by two 80kW Toyota hydrogen fuel cells, one in each hull, Chase Zero can reach top speeds of 50 knots. It achieves these speeds by harnessing the power of hydrogen, stored in four high-pressure tanks capable of holding a total of 32kg of hydrogen gas at 350 bar.

This hydrogen is passed through a fuel cell, generating electricity to power the boat’s two electric motors. The result? A high-speed, zero-emissions vessel that produces only water vapour as exhaust.

The boat’s lightweight construction, built using carbon, Nomex, and structural foam, enhances its performance, allowing it to achieve its impressive speeds while reducing drag. The design leverages foiling technology, where the boat lifts out of the water on hydrofoils to minimize resistance, enabling it to cruise efficiently at 30 knots and cover distances of up to 180 km on a single hydrogen fill. This makes Chase Zero not only fast but also a practical solution for race support duties in a more sustainable future.

Meanwhile, INEOS Britannia, the challenger for the 37th America’s Cup, took similar strides in hydrogen technology. As Ben Ainslie commented “The Americas Cup is as much a technology race as it is a sailing race”, INEOS Britannia’s hydrogen boats were built to meet the demanding specifications required by the competition: a length of at least 10 metres, a top speed of 50 knots, and a range of 180 miles.

This ensures the boats can keep up with the ultra high-speed AC75 yachts on the water, which themselves represent the pinnacle of sailing performance technology.

Off the water, INEOS has taken their commitment to hydrogen and sustainability a step further by supporting education through the 1851 Trust, a charity founded by team skipper Sir Ben Ainslie.

The trust is using the race and the team’s hydrogen boat project to inspire a new generation of students in the UK.

Through their STEM Crew education program, which leverages real-world examples from the America’s Cup, the trust is educating schoolchildren on the importance of hydrogen in reaching net-zero emissions, and the role of science and technology in solving global challenges.

As the 37th America’s Cup draws to a close, the introduction of hydrogen-powered chase boats has proven that innovation and sustainability can coexist at the highest levels of competition.

AC37 has already demonstrated the viability of hydrogen propulsion, setting the standard for what is possible in the future of marine transport.

The America’s Cup has always been a platform for technological breakthroughs, and this year, the focus has been on both speed and sustainability. With teams like INEOS Britannia pushing the boundaries of hydrogen technology, the legacy of this Cup will extend far beyond the competition, influencing the future of marine propulsion for years

to come.

Congratulations to the winning team!