Bill Gates commissions $644 million hydrogen-powered superyacht (Updated)

[midian182]

What just happened? If you’re the second-richest person in the world with an eco-friendly outlook, what toy would you buy? For Bill Gates and his $100 billion fortune, it’s a hydrogen-powered superyacht. The $644 million vessel comes with five decks, an infinity pool, gym, helipad and spa.

Update: Despite the Sunday Telegraph’s claims, it seems Bill Gates isn’t buying the Aqua. “The Hydrogen concept Aqua is not linked to Mr Gates (or his representatives) in any form or matter,” Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design said in a statement. “Sinot has no business relationship with Mr Gates.” The company added that the yacht is “a concept under development and has not been sold to Mr Gates.”

The original story follows below:

Gates has reportedly ordered Aqua, a 376-foot long concept design by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and Lateral Naval Architects superyacht design and construction. Unveiled at the Monaco yacht show, it has room for 14 guests and 31 crew members and boasts a 3,750-mile range with a top speed of 17 knots (19.6 mph).

The yacht's marquee feature is its liquid hydrogen and fuel cell system. Below decks are two 28-tonne vacuum-sealed tanks that are cooled to -423F and filled with liquid hydrogen. This is converted into electrical energy by Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, leaving only water as a by-product. The system provides power for the two one-megawatt motors and propellors, along with other systems.

While the yacht runs on eco-friendly liquid hydrogen, the dearth of hydrogen refueling stations means it also has a back-up diesel engine.

Other luxury features include floor-to-ceiling windows, a massage room, yoga area, and a huge circular staircase.

“For the development of Aqua we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology, to combine this in a superyacht with truly innovative features,” said designer Sander Sinot.

Gates has previously shown his support for zero-emissions technology though his investment in clean energy company Heliogen, which uses advanced computer vision software to create concentrated solar energy that could replace fossil fuels in key industrial processes.

Aqua isn’t expected to be ready for the seas until at least 2024, so Gates will likely be renting his superyachts for a few more years.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/83938-bill-gates-commissions-644-million-hydrogen-powered-superyacht.html

 

[treetops]

Pretty cool, if I was rich I'd like something that I could plow through hurricanes. Jump those perfect storm waves.

 

[noel24]

Looks almost like the Hindenburg - big and shiny...

 

[VitalyT]

I didn't think he would take those Windows-license receipts and build a house from them...

 

[Gus Fring]

Have a word .. the designer just watched "League of extraordinary Gentlemen" and nicked the design straight from that.
BTW I've been a loyal win user for over twenty years , so will I get to have a go on it?

 

[ross01]

2MW engine on a yacht that size is not leaving the harbour in this lifetime

 

[pan1c]

This has been confirmed to be fake news.

source: https://sinot.com/

just now I see article already updated.

 

[johnehoffman]

One little detail that is almost always left out of these puff articles on wonderful pollution-free devices:

Where does the liquid hydrogen come from?

It takes a great amount of energy to cool and compress hydrogen into liquid form--and that energy most likely comes from burning fossil fuels. So, most likely, they've just moved the combustion step out of the ship and into a factory. Whether any fossil fuels are saved in the process is impossible to say without a lot more data.

 

[BadThad]

One little detail that is almost always left out of these puff articles on wonderful pollution-free devices:

Where does the liquid hydrogen come from?

It takes a great amount of energy to cool and compress hydrogen into liquid form--and that energy most likely comes from burning fossil fuels. So, most likely, they've just moved the combustion step out of the ship and into a factory. Whether any fossil fuels are saved in the process is impossible to say without a lot more data.

Indeed....just more "feel good" fluff to feed the climate indoctrinated.

 

[bviktor]

Looks almost like the Hindenburg - big and shiny...

That's pretty much the "best" "argument" hydrogen opponents usually come up with, a disaster from 1937 with the only common factor being the presence of Hydrogen.

Do you also avoid drinking water? That also involves Hydrogen, sooo it might explode sometime!

 

[Evernessince]

One little detail that is almost always left out of these puff articles on wonderful pollution-free devices:

Where does the liquid hydrogen come from?

It takes a great amount of energy to cool and compress hydrogen into liquid form--and that energy most likely comes from burning fossil fuels. So, most likely, they've just moved the combustion step out of the ship and into a factory. Whether any fossil fuels are saved in the process is impossible to say without a lot more data.

Indeed....just more "feel good" fluff to feed the climate indoctrinated.

Nope, even if you account for factory emissions, hydrogen is still cleaner

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-hydrogen-made

FYI having a majority of the pollution at the factory instead of emitted by the vehicle is a huge plus. For cities and suburbs, air quality would improve drastically. Not to mention, those factories are a prime target for active carbon capture.

 

[noel24]

That's pretty much the "best" "argument" hydrogen opponents usually come up with, a disaster from 1937 with the only common factor being the presence of Hydrogen.

Do you also avoid drinking water? That also involves Hydrogen, sooo it might explode sometime!

Sense of humour is not Your forte?
I'm not scared of hydrogen of course. It's been used as a fuel like forever, powered Space Shuttle (Oops, I did again), but if I am to criticise the concept, It is a highly volatile gas, that is hard to contain, that has a potential to be produced by nuclear based electricity, but so far is a byproduct of oil and coal production.
Methane from garbage would be much more eco friendly fuel, but probably not so glamorous.

And You have to admit, the front of this boat looks like a gondola of a zeppelin, turned upside down. That was my first thought when I saw this article, and then My brain sparked into Hindenburg.

And, by the way, I'm tough and I drink my water without hydrogen...

 

[PEnnn]

Before the Flat-Earth / Anti-Science / "Climate Change is a hoax" / "pollution creates Jobs" / Anti Bill Gates crowd has another fit, they should re-read the article with the following update:

Update: Despite the Sunday Telegraph’s claims, it seems Bill Gates isn’t buying the Aqua. “The Hydrogen concept Aqua is not linked to Mr Gates (or his representatives) in any form or matter,” Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design said in a statement. “Sinot has no business relationship with Mr Gates.” The company added that the yacht is “a concept under development and has not been sold to Mr Gates.”

 

[Danny101]

Has anyone watched the Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless (Famous)