The Netherlands presents its pavilion, developed by RAU Architects, at Expo 2025 Osaka under the theme ‘Common Ground.’ Designed according to circular principles, the structure serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and international cooperation, with a focus on energy transition and environmental sustainability. Over a six-month period, the pavilion is set to host programming aimed at facilitating collaboration between Dutch and Japanese organizations across business, research, and policy.

The pavilion’s design draws on the Netherlands’ historical and spatial relationship with water. Large parts of the country lie below sea level, necessitating a long-standing tradition of collaboration in water management. The concept of ‘Common Ground’ extends this ethos to a global scale, emphasizing collective responsibility in addressing finite resources and planetary boundaries. The pavilion integrates principles of the circular economy, highlighting material reuse, adaptability, and systems thinking in the built environment.

all images by Zhu Yumeng

undulating slats envelop central luminous ‘rising sun’

The structure is designed and constructed by AND BV, a Dutch-Japanese consortium that includes architecture firm RAU Architects, engineering consultancy DGMR, design studio Tellart, and Japanese construction company Asanuma Corporation. The pavilion takes the form of a rectangular volume, with a prominent central luminous sphere symbolizing renewable energy, specifically hydropower.

The facade features undulating slats designed to reference the motion of water. Their combined length totals 425 meters, referencing the 425-year-long relationship between the Netherlands and Japan. All materials used in the construction are cataloged in Madaster, a digital platform for material registration that supports circular construction by enabling reuse and transparency. The pavilion is designed for disassembly and relocation. After the Expo concludes, it will be dismantled and reconstructed in a different context, extending its lifecycle and preventing material waste.

main facade evening

Netherlands pavilion’s form symbolizes circular design

Visitors enter the pavilion and receive a small, illuminated object that interacts with various installations throughout the interior. The exhibition content focuses on historical and contemporary collaborations between the Netherlands and Japan, with particular attention to climate adaptation and water management strategies. At the core of the pavilion is the glowing sphere, which functions as a projection space for a 360-degree AI-generated film. The experience concludes with an interactive installation inviting visitors to contribute reflections and aspirations related to shared global futures.

main entrance evening

areal view

a new dawn

ramps

illuminated installation

main facade

grand ring

external facade

facade detail

intro space

event space

project info:

name: The Netherlands Pavilion Expo Osaka 2025
architects: RAU Architects | @rau.architects

location: Osaka, Kansai, Japan

gross floor area: 1157 sqm

designers: Tellart | @tellart

engineering: DGMR | @dgmradviseurs

construction: Asanuma Corporation | @asanuma_official

client: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

advisor: BREED-ID

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Selar’s cruise ship named Captain Arctic has retractable sails covered with solar panels so the vessel can harness and use the energy coming from the wind and sun. These two sources help power up the cruise ship, and when the sails aren’t able to tap into those during the journey, the two propeller shafts can also produce energy and act as hydro turbines. Looking at the exterior, Selar’s Captain Arctic boasts five ‘35-meter-high sails that can be retracted like a Swiss Army Knife when needed’, says the cruise brand.

They’re made of alumininum to stand against the harsh weather conditions and anchor 2,000 m² of solar panels. Because of these energy sources, Captain Arctic hopes to sail with reduced, if not zero, carbon emissions. The cruise ship also comes with autonomous water production for the guests on board, meaning that the vessel generates its own fresh water from the sea using reverse osmosis. For when it travels to extremely cold regions, Selar’s vessel uses recycled wooden waste pellets for its boiler to warm up the interiors of the ship.

all images courtesy of Selar

organic food digester and a treatment tank onboard

Selar’s cruise ship is 70 meters long, with only 36 passengers and 24 crew members onboard. It travels at a fairly low speed and aims to emit 90 percent less emission than most of the boats in the region. Parts of the reasons why are the specialized systems onboard that the brand has installed, including the organic food digester and a treatment tank that transforms black, gray water into technical, potable water.

Already with the vessel’s name, passengers can have an idea where Selar’s ship cruises: the Arctic areas, namely Norway, Svalbard, and Greenland. As they cruise around these regions, the interiors of the Selar cruise ship can keep them toasty, from the natural light streaming through the blinds in their bedroom windows to the solar-powered shower in the bathroom with an Arctic view. 

Captain Arctic has retractable sails covered with solar panels

It’s an expedition, not a trip

Onboard amenities feel like the passengers access establishments on land, too. There are gym and sauna facilities ready for use anytime of the day, and other activities include ice navigation with the captain, yoga sessions, fishing with the chef, polar plunge, Norwegian bath, whale watching, and, if the time is right, witnessing the Aurora Borealis.

The dining space resembles diner style from the previous eras, with the back-to-back benches, stripe designs, and a clean color palette. Guests can dine in freshly caught Arctic salmon sushi or local algae and gravlax and take a sip of the Arctic cocktails or beers brewed at 80° North. The expedition, not trip as the brand describes it, lasts between seven and 13 days, depending on the trip, and bookings are now open for the travel dates starting November 2026. 

the vessel can harness and use the energy coming from the wind, sun and even water using the propeller shafts

view of the dining space

view of the bar

view of the command bridge

lounge area

solar-powered shower in the bathroom with an Arctic view

Selar’s cruise ship can travel through Norway, Svalbard, and Greenland

the sailing begins in November 2026

project info:

name: Captain Arctic

brand: Selar | @selar_expeditions

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Toyota Motor Corporation exhibits its portable hydrogen cartridges at Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2024 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Between October 15th and 18th, visitors can see first-hand how the hydrogen-fueled cartridge can power up applicable cars, outdoor and indoor appliances, and other fuel-cell-powered tools. 

For the first time, the corporation showcases the reduced size and weight of the hydrogen cartridges after their preliminary design, so now they can be carried by hand or stashed in a backpack for an on-the-go hydropower. The shape of the cartridges resemble giant batteries with a handle on top of them for easy carrying. They seem handy too, as they can be put inside a travel-sized backpack, so the user can bring it anywhere they go.

all images courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation

Cartridges that can fire up hydrogen-powered cooker

At Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2024, Toyota brings a hydrogen-powered cooker it has developed with Rinnai Corporation to show how their cartridges can supply electricity. It also hints at Toyota’s steps toward filling up fuel cells with hydrogen to generate energy, with water as a byproduct. The corporation also aims to demonstrate that hydrogen can also be directly burned in a process similar to how gas is burned in regular stoves or ovens, which may be a greener idea for hydropowered indoor and outdoor appliances.

Amidst these all, the corporation hopes to integrate the technology into their future products as a way to reduce carbon emissions. They plan to push it through by using renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, in the production process. In line with this, Toyota has also been experimenting with hydrogen-powered vehicles in motorsport, specifically with their Corolla model. 

view of the portable hydrogen cartridges by Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota tests portable hydrogen cartridges in corolla

Back in 2021, they started racing their hydropowered model that used gaseous hydrogen as fuel. During the laps, the Corolla’s engine was powered by burning gas stored in the vehicle’s tanks, producing only water as it raced through. Since 2023, Toyota has shifted to using liquid hydrogen.

They are now racing with a GR Corolla that runs on liquid hydrogen. They find it more efficient since it is ‘denser’ than hydrogen gas, meaning more fuel can be stored in a smaller space. So far, no news yet on when and if the portable hydrogen cartridges are set to hit the market as well as their other uses.

they are reduced in size so it’s easier to carry and load

these portable hydrogen cartridges can help fire up hydropowered appliances at home

they’re also ideal for outdoor equipment and appliances

Toyota tests its portable hydrogen cartridges in its GR Corolla

reduced size and weight of the hydrogen cartridges after their preliminary design

project info:

name: Portable Hydrogen Cartridges

manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation | @toyota

cooker: Rinnai Corporation

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First introduced in May 2024, Sanlorenzo brings its hydrogen-powered 50Steel superyacht with interiors designed by Piero Lissoni to the Monaco Yacht Show 2024. It makes its way to Port Hercule for the international boat show together with the open-coupe SP110, after it docked at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024 between September 10th and 15th, 2024. Gracing the Monaco port, the 50Steel yacht is set to stay there from September 25th to 28th.

The superyacht’s striking feature isn’t just the five staggered decks of the exterior designed by Zuccon International Project Studio and the hospitality-inspired interiors of Piero Lissoni. It’s also the fact that it’s dubbed the world’s first superyacht to apply the Reformer Fuel Cell system, a patented technology that the shipbuilder co-developed with Siemens Energy, which uses green methanol to generate the electricity that powers the entire vessel.

all images courtesy of Lissoni&Partners and Sanlorenzo | interior photos by Guillaume Plisson and Gionata Xerra, with styling by vandersandestudio

Reformer Fuel Cell system turns green methanol into hydrogen

In a nutshell, Sanlorenzo’s 50Steel superyacht’s Reformer Fuel Cell system with Siemens Energy transforms green methanol into hydrogen, then turns this hydrogen into electricity that powers the vessel. Usually, hydrogen needs to be stored, but in this yacht, designed with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure by Zuccon International Project Studio, the fuel-cell system creates hydrogen from green methanol on demand.

This means it generates it when it’s needed, so there’s no need to store it onboard. The Reformer Fuel Cell system supplies the electrical power for the superyacht’s hotel-like systems, such as the lights and air conditioning, without the need to use traditional fuel like diesel. For Piero Lissoni, who worked on the interiors of the 50Steel superyacht, this may be his most creative boat because it uses hydrogen to power the fixtures in the cabins.

aerial view of the 50Steel superyacht with interiors designs by Piero Lissoni

Piero lissoni calls sanlorenzo 50steel superyacht ‘creative’

The Italian architect, art director, and designer says that Sanlorenzo’s 50Steel superyacht is creative ‘because it no longer has decks, but rather areas that have been designed as true architectures, with large spaces that dialogue with each other. It’s creative because, when open, there’s a barrier-free beach club extending for over 135 square meters. And it’s creative because what was previously the engine room has now become a living area.’ What Piero Lissoni means is Sanlorenzo’s HER system, aka the ‘Hybrid Engine Room.’

It’s a new concept for the engine room on a superyacht because normally, it can take up to two levels of vertical space. In that case, the engine room uses up space that could’ve been for the passengers. With HER, the engines, components, and other mechanical systems on board are placed horizontally, so that they only take up one level (and not vertically). This frees up a whole extra level in the lower part of the 50Steel yacht, which the design team has taken advantage of by installing an ocean lounge with a large aft Beach Club, spa, and gym all in a single, open space.

Sanlorenzo has also collaborated with Zuccon International Project Studio for the design

Even before the visitors step onto the 50Steel superyacht, they can already see the five staggered decks with less partitions. The concept of hospitality is present, from the spacious salon to the dedicated gym and spa on the lower deck. The design team uses light and muted colors and materials to bring out the hotel nature of the interiors.

In fact, part of Piero Lissoni’s brief was to reinvent the classic style. He and the design team do so by placing coffered ceilings and dark-wood walls around the interiors, softened and illuminated by masked warm lighting. On the upper deck, the dining room sits in the middle of the space.

50Steel superyacht runs on a system co-developed with Siemens Energy

In total, Sanlorenzo’s 50Steel superyacht has four guest cabins and one for the owner. There are also two pools, one on the aft Beach Club and another on the sun deck. Going to the three upper levels, a system of stairs connects them all, a way to bridge as much space as the design allows.

Those who may want to slow down and look at the horizon can do so on one of the three open terraces that the design team has opened up for the visitors. When docked, the superyacht also doesn’t release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thanks to the fuel-cell system Sanlorenzo has installed for the vessel, trading diesel for green methanol to fuel its electricity.

the Reformer Fuel Cell system turns green methanol into hydrogen then into electricity

it’s the converted electricity that power up all the fixtures, engines and appliances on the superyacht

bedroom view

for the interiors, Piero Lissoni uses coffered ceilings and dark-wood walls

staircase view with light-colored, wooden material

Sanlorenzo’s superyacht with interiors designed by Piero Lissoni

Sanlorenzo’s 50Steel yacht is set to stay for Monaco Yacht Show until September 28th, 2024

project info:

name: 50Steel

company: Sanlorenzo | @sanlorenzoyacht

interiors: Piero Lissoni | @pierolissoni

studio: Zuccon International Project Studio | @zuccon_international_project

fuel cell system: Siemens Energy

events: Cannes Yachting Festival 2024, Monaco Yacht Show 2024

interior photography: Guillaume Plisson, Gionata Xerra

styling: vandersandestudio | @vandersandestudio

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On July 20th, Kawasaki conducted the world’s first public demonstration run of its hydrogen ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycle at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. To make the motorcycle run on hydrogen instead of regular fuel, Kawasaki needed to make several modifications, especially to the engine. They modified it so that hydrogen fuel, which may help reduce carbon emissions, can be directly injected into the cylinders, where the fuel is burned to produce the power needed to propel the motorcycle.

Regarding its body or frame, Kawasaki has designed its hydrogen ICE motorcycle to accommodate hydrogen fuel canisters, or tanks that store hydrogen. The chassis can also hold a hydrogen fuel system, which is the setup that delivers the hydrogen from the canisters to the internal combustion engine. Kawasaki uses its Ninja H2 motorcycle engine for this vehicle, which has been adapted to carry and use hydrogen. The hydrogen ICE motorcycle was designed and built as part of research that began in March 2023, with test runs starting this year and culminating in the public demonstration run.

all images courtesy of Kawasaki Motors (EU and USA)

WORLD’S FIRST PUBLIC DEMO WITH WATER AS EMISSION

When the rider revs the throttle by twisting the handle and accelerating, Kawasaki’s hydrogen ICE motorcycle still rumbles and vibrates, despite its non-fuel engine. This is because the engine’s mechanics and the combustion process are similar to those in a gasoline engine.

During its world’s first public demonstration in Japan, the manufacturer noted that its main by-product is water, which comes out as vapor. This makes hydrogen engines much cleaner compared to gasoline engines that emit pollutants like CO2, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.

Kawasaki conducted the world’s first public demonstration run of its hydrogen ICE motorcycle

CARBON-NEUTRAL INITIATIVE FOR RIDERS IN THE EARLY 2030S

Kawasaki admits that during the demonstration, a tiny bit of engine oil is burned along with the hydrogen, but adds that this only results in the production of a very small amount of CO2. They claim that despite this, the overall emissions are significantly lower than those from traditional gasoline engines.

So far, Kawasaki Motors is conducting research and development to realize a functioning hydrogen ICE motorcycle for commercial use. This forms part of their carbon-neutral initiative for riders in the early 2030s. The manufacturer says that the time of commercial availability may vary depending on the hydrogen fuel supply infrastructure and the status of legal regulations in each country.

the demonstration took place at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japa

Kawasaki needed to make modifications to make the motorcycle run on hydrogen

they altered the engine so that hydrogen fuel can be directly injected into the cylinders

Kawasaki has designed its frame to accommodate hydrogen fuel canisters

the chassis can also hold a hydrogen fuel system

the hydrogen ICE motorcycle was designed and built as part of research that began in March 2023

Kawasaki noted that the motorycle’s main by-product is water, which comes out as vapor

Kawasaki Motors is conducting research to realize hydrogen ICE motorcycle for commercial use

project info:

name: Hydrogen ICE Motorcycle

manufacturer: Kawasaki Motors | @kawasaki_motors_japan

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Joby Aviation has successfully flown its hydrogen-electric air taxi for 523 miles around its flight test facilities in Marina, California, with water as the only in-flight emission. The eVTOL aircraft was powered by liquid hydrogen, and the landmark flight took place on June 24th, 2024. The air taxi managed to land with more than ten percent of its hydrogen fuel load still in its engine. Days after the successful test flight, Joby Aviation is looking more into enabling regional flights in the US using its hydrogen-electric aircraft, whose only byproduct is water.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, imagines people, at least in the US first, being able to fly from San Francisco to San Diego, Boston to Baltimore, or Nashville to New Orleans without the need to go to an airport. Their eVTOL has no emissions except water, and the air taxi makes almost no noise. For the founder and CEO, that future may not be so far from now. For the test flight, the aviation company converted one of its pre-production prototype battery-electric aircraft and fitted it with a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system. Joby plans to start commercial operations as soon as 2025, first its battery-electric air taxi, then its hydrogen eVTOL aircraft.

all images courtesy of Joby Aviation, as well as video stills via Youtube

How the converted evtol aircraft flies

Joby Aviation’s hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator comes with six electric propulsion units that power each of the eVTOL aircraft’s tilting propellers. They also charge the flight control system since the batteries focus more on giving extra power for take-off and landing. For most of the test flight, it was only liquid hydrogen that boosted the aircraft, which had more than three times more energy density than gasoline, according to Joby Aviation.

‘Liquid hydrogen is an ideal energy source for weight-sensitive applications like aviation,’ the design team adds. A vacuum-jacketed tank, which could store up to 40 kilos of hydrogen and that the company themselves designed, was on board the hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator. Joby Aviation says that the hydrogen they used had been stored at around -423 degrees Fahrenheit, with the exterior of the thermally insulated tank at ambient temperature.

for the test flight, Joby fitted its aircraft with a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system

Joby aviation on flights using hydrogen-electric air taxi

During flight, the fuel cell system received that hydrogen to generate electricity. A company called H2FLY, a subsidiary of Joby Aviation, which they acquired in 2021, made the ‘H2F-175’ fuel cell system. It creates electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and this process also produces water and heat. The electricity then powered the six electric motors on the Joby aircraft and recharged its batteries during the test flight.

Past the testing, Joby Aviation aims to commercialize hydrogen-electric air taxi flights. ‘The vast majority of the design, testing, and certification work we’ve completed on our battery-electric aircraft carries over to commercializing hydrogen-electric flight. In service, we also expect to be able to use the same landing pads, the same operations team, and Joby’s ElevateOS software that will support the commercial operation of our battery-electric aircraft,’ says JoeBen Bevirt. The eVTOL aircraft may begin commercial flights in 2025.

the eVTOL aircraft was powered by liquid hydrogen, and the landmark flight took place on June 24th, 2024

Joby Aviation is looking more into enabling regional flights in the US using its hydrogen-electric aircraft

water is the only emission of the hydrogen-electric air taxi from Joby Aviation

project info:

name: Hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator

company: Joby Aviation | @jobyaviation

subsidiary: H2FLY | @h2fly_aviation

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Sirius Aviation has revealed its two Sirius Jet hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft: a CEO model and an Adventure version, which might be capable of traveling through jungles and above mountains. Dubbed the world’s first hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft that is co-designed by BMW’s Designworks and Sauber Group, these jets were introduced at the MOVE Expo in London on June 20th, 2024.

Right off the bat, the 28 ducted fans of both models may catch attention as one of their striking features. Viewers can see 20 fans located along the wings and another eight mounted in the canard, or a small airfoil in front of an aircraft’s wing. Each of these ducted fans is driven by a separate electric motor, and the Swiss aviation startup says this kind of propulsion system helps reduce noise emissions.

all images courtesy of Sirius Aviation AG

Features of the sirius CEO and Adventure jets

The two recent Sirius Jet hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft have distinctive features. The CEO Jet can accommodate three people and is primarily used for point-to-point landings. This means travelers can choose their exact landing location, ‘literally,’ says Sirius Aviation. Its flight range is up to 1,150 miles (1,850 kilometers) with a speed of 323 mph (520 km/h), and it seems that the CEO Sirius Jet is more tailored for leisure and business flights at the moment.

For those seeking adrenaline and wishing to explore uncharted terrains, the Adventure aircraft can suit their needs. The second model of the Sirius Jet hydrogen-powered VTOL can fly through jungles, above mountains, and potentially into territories that a typical aircraft or Boeing may not reach. This model can accommodate five passengers and a pilot and has a flight range of 650 miles (1,050 kilometers) at a speed of 323 mph (520 km/h). Unlike its sibling, the CEO Jet, the Adventure aircraft has a maximum cargo load of 1,100 liters.

Sirius Jet’s hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft, CEO

sirius jet’s hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft may fly in 2025

The final design and technological features of the upcoming Sirius Jet hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft models may still be up in the air, but the images may reveal enough of what might come. Inside the Sirius CEO Jet, leather-like and fuzzy-looking materials clad the cabin, coupled with tanned brown color schemes. The lighting design emerges in the form of strips, both in the ceiling and on the floor. A large, bezel-free monitor screen is positioned in front of the pilot, and landscape windows offer unobstructed views of their flight navigation.

For the Sirius Adventure Jet, the hydrogen-powered VTOL model may come with emergency and safe landing equipment, given that it is tailored for off-grid excursions. In one of the released images, a floater seems to be attached below the aircraft for when it lands on water, an attempt to keep it from sinking while emergency responders are on their way. As of publishing the story, Sirius Aviation AG expects to take their aircraft model’s first flights in 2025. The design team has previously unveiled two other models: the Sirius Business Jet for private aircraft needs and the Sirius Millennium Jet for commercial aviation.

the CEO Jet can accommodate three people and is primarily used for point-to-point landings

inside Sirius Jet’s hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft, CEO

a large monitor screen for the pilot

leather-like and fuzzy-looking material for the interior design

potential overhead lighting in linear forms

side view of the Sirius CEO jet

along with CEO, Sirius Jet reveals its hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft, ‘Adventure’

the Sirius Adventure Jet can travel through jungles and above mountains

the Sirius Adventure Jet may have safety landing equipment that can also be used for emergencies

the Sirius Jets are expected to take their first flights in 2025

project info:

name: Sirius CEO and Adventure Jets

company: Swiss Aviation AG | @siriusjet

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Young Swiss company HydroRide Europe announced the entrance of their hydrogen fuel-cell bikes HYRYD, which can be refueled in 3 to 10 seconds with the built-in water tanks. The range comes in three models: foldable, sport, and rental or sharing bikes. For the company, their hydrogen rides are believed to outperform e-bikes in refueling speed and are dubbed safe and secure with low-carbon and environmental protection.

Alongside the series of bikes, HydroRide Europe is expected to launch a hydrogen generator that the riders can use at home. With 200mL of water, the machine may be able to generate 20 grams of ‘green hydrogen’. This byproduct is injected into the removable water tank, which has a design resembling a water bottle. It can only take 3 to 10 seconds to fill up the tank, and the single refuel can give riders a range of 50 to 60 kilometers. The company also plans to distribute solar-powered charging stations, so riders can swap their empty tanks in less than 10 seconds.

HYRYD Sport Bike 1.0 | all images courtesy of HydroRide Europe AG

foldable, sport and rental hydrogen bikes with water tanks

HydroRide Europe’s (see more here) foldable, sport and rental hydrogen bikes are equipped with a 180-watt fuel cell, which helps the bicycles to produce electric current that propel them. They also come with two riding modes, presumably manual pedaling and hydrogen-assist riding. These hydrogen fuel-cell bikes can have a maximum speed of 23 kilometers per hour which may make them ideal for everyday commute and occasional adventures. For the foldable model, the bike can collapse in three steps, making it portable enough to be brought anywhere even if it weighs around 19.5 kilos. 

The sport variant, which has a total weight of 23.5 kilos, is suitable for adventurous riders with its ‘environmentally friendly propulsion system and an aerodynamic design for optimal performance,’ yet HydroRide Europe has yet to unveil its full specs. The rental or sharing bike, which may be the focus of the company as it targets the B2B sphere, have the same specs as their siblings, but with the addition of a front basket for goods and object storage. A single water tank, which is believed to be able to absorb more than 500 times its own volume, is hidden in each of these models’ cases, just below the rider’s seat, and the full specs of all the models are yet to be revealed.

HYRYD Foldable Bike

Hydrogen-powered vehicles or electric batteries?

The use of hydrogen in vehicles, such as BMW’s iX5 Hydrogen car, may be surfacing these days more than before as the automotive industry attempts to go green or employ green energy. They may be seen as rivals of electric vehicles, and fairly so, given that both have their own pros and cons. A 2021 MIT study suggests that the electric vehicles dominating the green energy game might be due to the cost of producing (green) hydrogen.

On the upside, it takes shorter time to pump hydrogen fuel than to charge an EV battery and can also lead to delivering longer riding and driving ranges. But this can also lead to requiring more hydrogen to be produced, which can be more expensive than what the EV market can offer, as the research suggests.

HYRYD Sport Bike 2.0

These days, most hydrogen is made from natural gas, which can generate pollution (CO2) like exhaust fumes from a car. While there’s a technology that can capture some of that pollution to make hydrogen from natural gas, it is dubbed expensive, hence the use of clean electricity to split water into hydrogen. The latter uses sources like solar or wind power to generate green hydrogen.

In this case, it would require more (clean) electricity for the vehicle on top of the electricity for its refueling station. As the study states, green hydrogen may require new clean electricity to produce hydrogen. With the price of batteries dropping, engineers may be head-on finding ways to make hydrogen less expensive as a green fuel, a factor some users may weigh in if they should go for hydrogen-fueled vehicles.

HYRYD Rental Mobility

HYRYD Hydrogren Generator and Water Tank

the water tank is believed to be able to absorb more than 500 times its own volume

project info:

name: HYRYD

company: HydroRide Europe AG | @hydroride.eu

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Hydrogen as a sustainable source of energy and movement is the central theme of BMW’s program at the 2024 Art Basel in Switzerland. The car brand had commissioned London-based artist Es Devlin to create a series of multi-media works unveiled today, June 10th, 2024, in Hall 1.1 of the art fair. Devlin has created a booth displaying four works: Surfacing (2024), Surfacing II (2024), Mask (2018), and Mask in Motion (2018). As an opening chapter, the duo also presents a series of mobile sound installations within a pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles enveloped in prints of Devlin’s collaged paintings. Passengers are invited to listen in on the artist’s conversation with BMW engineers about the potential of hydrogen.

images courtesy of BMW AG | photos by Enes Kucevic

surfacing: unveiling a pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen

As a pilot project, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen – Surfacing is an expression of the group’s open-technology approach to the mobility of tomorrow. It combines the advantages of locally emission-free electric drive with the driving pleasure typical of the brand. Another advantage: the quick and uncomplicated refuelling process thanks to hydrogen fuel cell technology, providing an additional supplement to battery-electric drive systems. To elaborate, the powertrain of the vehicle, developed according to the BMW X5, features a combination of fuel cells with an output of 125 kW/170 hp, which uses energy from gaseous hydrogen to drive an electric motor from the BMW Group’s Gen 5 program, together with a specially developed battery. This generates a maximum system output of 285 kW/401 hp. The hydrogen tanks can be refuelled within three to four minutes and enable a range of 504 kilometres according to the WLTP test cycle. 

Es Devlin painting the BMW iX5 Hydrogen car at Art Basel 2024

The exterior of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen has been wrapped in a painted blue and white collage in which Es Devlin (see more here) overlays paintings and text made in response to the prints and literature which populated her wall and bookshelves as a teenager. Painted gestures echoing the 1831 woodcut ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, are superimposed over hand written extracts from literature’s longest sentence about water drawn from James Joyce’s seminal novel ‘Ulysses’. Underlying the collage are excerpts from BMW Group publications on hydrogen fuel cell technology. The company is currently testing the vehicle with hydrogen fuel cell technology in selected countries under everyday conditions. The world tour of the pilot fleet is now making a stop at Art Basel 2024, where the hydrogen vehicles are available as a shuttle service.

BMW iX5 Hydrogen enveloped in prints of Es Devlin’s collaged paintings

es devlin presents a series of multi-media works

Meanwhile, in Hall 1.1 of the art fair, Es Devlin (see more here) presents Surfacing (2024), an illuminated cube of rain penetrated by a line of light and Surfacing II (2024), a pair of painted televisions in which a dancing figure appears to displace pixels and pigment. Both are flanked by Mask (2018) a projection-mapped model city fusing hands and river, and Mask in Motion (2018), a revolving illuminated translucent printed city which meshes viewers within its kinetic shadow. Each work continues Devlin’s 30-year exploration of the entangled dance between humans and technology. The booth surprises visitors each hour as Surfacing’s box of rain, like a magician’s apparatus, conjures a 7-minute dance work by Paris-based choreographer Sharon Eyal with music composed by London-based duo Polyphonia.

miniature model of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen car

Devlin has spent the past year engaging with engineers at BMW, learning the mechanics behind the hydrogen fuel cell technology and its implications for the future of sustainable energy systems. As an opening chapter to the works on view in Hall 1.1, she has created a simple soundscape drawn from their conversations and underscored by composers Polyphonia which is played to guests in the pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles.

‘I learned from the BMW engineers the beautiful symmetry of the system at work within the hydrogen fuel cell: the energy that is used to separate hydrogen atoms from oxygen is recreated when the oxygen is reunited with hydrogen within the car. The by-product is not only the energy which propels the vehicle, but water,‘ the artist shares. 

the pilot fleet is unveiled at Art Basel 2024

BMW iX5 features a combination of fuel cells, which uses energy from gaseous hydrogen

the Es Devlin-painted BMW iX5 Hydrogen can be seen at Art Basel 2024 until June 16th

Es Devlin at work on the pilot project

blue and white prototyping – 01

blue and white prototyping – 02

aerial view of Es Devlin-painted BMW iX5 Hydrogen fleet at Art Basel 2024

project info:

pilot project: BMW iX5 Hydrogen – Surfacing 

brand: BMW Group | @bmwgroup

artist: Es Devlin | @esdevlin

program: Art Basel 2024 | @artbasel

‘surfacing’ location: Hall 1.1 

viewing dates: Thursday, 13 June – Sunday, 16 June 2024

The post es devlin wraps pilot fleet of BMW iX5 hydrogen in blue and white collage at art basel appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Yacht builder Feadship recently unveiled what may be the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht, Project 821. It is a colossal water vehicle with a size of 118.80 meters, all running on hydrogen, which is a lightweight, ‘puffy’ substance. When hydrogen is processed in a fuel cell, the by-products are electricity and water in the form of steam. For a superyacht, it may be able to carry a lot of power without adding too much weight. The only catch, one that the Feadship team had to confront, was that hydrogen needs to be stored in an extremely cold container to keep it from taking up too much space as a gas. To do this, Feadship had to make Project 821 a bit longer than originally planned to fit a four-meter storage tank, hence its 118.80-meter size. 

images courtesy of Feadship

Feadship creates custom four-meter hydrogen storage tank

Feadship’s custom four-meter storage tank takes up quite a lot of space, eight to ten times more than regular diesel fuel would, even though the hydrogen itself is lighter. On the upside, the fuel cells on the Project 821 superyacht can also run on methanol, which is a liquid fuel that’s easier to store, a cleaner version of gasoline. Methanol doesn’t need to be super cold, so it might take up less space on the superyacht. At the moment, future innovations on fuel cells and onboard reforming of methanol to hydrogen are on the near horizon for Feadship, who’s focusing more on the current hydrogen technology they have in front of them.

the superyacht is a colossal hydrogen-run water vehicle with a size of 118.80 meters

superyacht project 821 can store less energy

In terms of energy storage, superyacht Project 821 stores less energy, around 543 kW hours, compared to a similar-sized yacht of Feadship named Savannah, which uses diesel (1 megawatt hour). The new superyacht doesn’t need as much stored energy since its hydrogen fuel cells can continuously generate power while it is running. Think of it as having a refillable generator onboard, boosting the superyacht’s power instead of relying only on a battery.In this way, the hydrogen-run Project 821 eliminates noisy engines when anchored or traveling slowly, and there’s no pollution when it cruises either. 

yacht builder Feadship recently unveiled what may be the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht

The superyacht Project 821 also has its own heat recycling system, which captures the waste heat from the engine—in this case, the fuel cells—and uses it for heating the pool, jacuzzi, and steam room on board, keeping the air at a moderate temperature in the guest areas, warming the towel bars and bathroom floors, and curtails the use of separate heaters to power up these amenities.

Feadship also installs a smart air conditioning system which automatically adjusts its temperature based on occupancy so that if nobody’s in a room, it won’t waste energy cooling it. The British RWD Studio worked on the entire look of the hydrogen-run Project 821, including the exterior, general arrangement, and all the décor inside. 

the superyacht Project 821 also has a heat recycling system, which captures the waste heat from the fuel cells

Coastal vibe is the theme the design attempts to evoke, the feeling of being near the beach or ocean while in a state of luxury. Light and airy colors and interior furnishings may help bring these up, starting with the use of light colors like white, beige, and cream for the walls, furniture, and fabrics. This sense of openness and bigger space is accompanied by textured fabrics and leathers, as well as a variety of natural materials.

These include marble, rattan, eucalyptus wood, and limed oak, a light-colored wood, all of which run throughout the interior of the superyacht Project 821. The design firm also retained the shapes of certain design elements on different floors, such as door trim features and hallway railings, to create a sense of continuity, but their use of materials vary, so that the guests can have the feeling of being in a new area.

the hydrogen-run superyacht is designed for families, with the top deck resembling a whole apartment on its own

The hydrogen-run superyacht is designed for families, with the top deck resembling a whole apartment on its own. It has two bedrooms with separate bathrooms and closets, a gym,a  pantry, two offices, each with a fireplace for working or relaxing, and a living room. There’s a walkaround deck with shaded areas at the front and back for lounging and enjoying the outdoors, and a jacuzzi in the front for a scenic soak.

Since Project 821 is wide, the hallways inside the superyacht are spacious to make walking around easy, allowing large side decks outside as well where guests can walk side-by-side. The superyacht has a  private access point for the owners that goes all the way down to the lower deck, which features a staircase with built-in bookshelves and display areas and an elevator for easy access between decks. 

Feadship’s Project 821 uses light and airy colors for the interior

On each floor, dedicated areas await guests, such as a coffee corner and a games area on the bridge deck, a library on the main deck, and a private dining room with a balcony and a connected bedroom on the lower deck. Feadship says Project 821 is the biggest superyacht ever built in the Netherlands, beating out its own sibling, Launchpad.

Even though they’re similar in length, Project 821 has 30 percent more space inside and has five floors above the water and two floors below, with the owner’s deck being as high as a 12-story building. As of publishing the story, Project 821 is being offered for sale by Edmiston.

the superyacht’s hydrogen fuel cells can continuously generate power while it is cruising

exterior details

in terms of energy storage, superyacht Project 821 stores less energy, around 543 kW hours

Feadship had to make Project 821 a bit longer than originally planned to fit the storage tank

project info:

name: Project 821

manufacturer: Feadship

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