Chasing the Wind: a New Class of Renewable Energy

DRIFT Energy is developing a new class of renewable energy. DRIFT Energy Harvesting Ships harness wind power through sails, and generating electrical energy from turbines pulled through the water, and using this power to produce green hydrogen onboard.

Nick and Mike will introduce the MVY Energy Harvesting Yacht, DRIFT's first-of-class 60m vessel, and discuss how it is being developed to maximise power production and vessel performance. Free from the constraints of grid connections and onshore planning, the MVY is designed to operate as an off-grid, distributed hydrogen production plant — sailing to optimal wind conditions using DRIFT's proprietary routing software, and delivering stored green hydrogen to ports around the world.

The talk will also cover the regulatory approach taken to certify a novel ship design of this complexity, addressing the challenges of bringing a first-of-class vessel — combining sail propulsion, underwater energy harvesting turbines, and onboard electrolysis — through classification and approval, and what this means for the wider adoption of mobile, sail-powered renewable energy platforms.