NatPower H is leading the world’s first green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for recreational boating with installations across 25 Italian ports and marinas.
The €100 million project is set to roll out its first station by the summer, with ambitions to reach 100 over the next six years. Twenty-five Italian marinas and ports are signed up to the project, with plans to export the model to other regions.
“On the back of a renewable project pipeline that already exceeds 23GW, we decided to create NatPower H – the first global operator for the production, storage and distribution of green hydrogen – to build the world’s first hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for recreational boating,” said Fabrizio Zago, group chief executive, NatPower.
The boating industry’s drive to decarbonise is being held back by a current lack of infrastructure, says NatPower, hence its aim to install sustainable energy hubs in Italian marinas, a country with a long history of recreational boatbuilding.
NatPower H has also signed an agreement with Zaha Hadid Architects to focus on strategically situating them at various locations along the Mediterranean coasts, respecting the unique cultural heritage of each place.
“Incorporating local materials like sands and soils, along with low-carbon impact cement, not only diminishes the ecological footprint but also facilitates the creation of organic forms that seamlessly blend with the built environment, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the landscape,” the company says.
“Using cutting-edge techniques in robotic material placement, the stations are fully recyclable as non-reinforced, dry-assembled masonry, eliminating the need for carpentry during construction.”
“ZHA’s Hydrogen Refuel boating stations will be built with unreinforced low-energy digital concrete,” said Zaha Hadid Architect Filippo Innocenti. “With structural strength arising from geometry rather than engineered materials, we found a connection between the established past of ancient construction techniques and advanced sustainable, circular technologies. This reflects NatPower-H’s dedication to an ecologically responsible future.”
To help promote the widespread use of green hydrogen, NatPower H has teamed up with Bluegame as official technical sponsor for the America’s Cup teams, New York Club American Magic (US) and the Orient Express (FR).
The partnership is part of a broader programme involving talks with key players in the international boating industry, including Baglietto shipyards.
The NatPower H project is developed in collaboration with Baglietto, BluEnergy Revolution, Bluegame, Fitchner, Linde, Studio Maresca, S.i.g.e. and Tecma Solutions.
