100-Foot Foiling Yacht to Sail on Renewables Alone
ABB partners with Ferrari Hypersail to power a 100-foot foiling monohull entirely on wind, solar.
A 100-foot full-foiling monohull yacht powered entirely by renewable energy is set to redefine ocean sailing, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between ABB and Ferrari Hypersail.
This innovation allows the vessel to lift above the water, reducing drag and increasing speed while maintaining stability in harsh ocean environments.
How the Yacht Generates and Manages Power
The Ferrari Hypersail operates as a high-performance microgrid, integrating multiple renewable energy sources.
The yacht’s electrical architecture operates at both 48V and 800 VDC, ensuring resilience and efficiency under extreme conditions such as salt spray, pressure, and motion. ABB’s expertise in Direct Current (DC) technology, backed by over 700 patents, plays a pivotal role in this system’s design and integration.
Giampiero Frisio, President of ABB’s Electrification business area, highlighted the significance of the partnership:
“Ferrari Hypersail gives ABB a unique platform to demonstrate how we are collaborating with partners to push the limits of Direct Current technology. Ferrari Hypersail is designed to operate in conditions that are as demanding as anything our systems face in industry.”
Giampiero Frisio·President of ABB’s Electrification business area
The Future of Sustainable Marine Technology
The Ferrari Hypersail project is not just a milestone for ocean racing but also a testbed for next-generation industrial microgrids. The lessons learned from this venture could influence the development of advanced power systems for shipping, data centers, and renewable energy infrastructure. Enrico Voltolini, Project Leader of Ferrari Hypersail, emphasized the yacht’s operational advantages:
“Hypersail runs entirely on renewable energy. It has to be self-sufficient for weeks at a time in the most hostile ocean environments on earth. Having ABB’s electrification expertise connected to the project is a valuable operational advantage.”
Enrico Voltolini·Project Leader of Ferrari Hypersail
This dual-mode system ensures optimal performance, whether the yacht is navigating calm waters or battling rough seas.
ABB’s involvement in the Ferrari Hypersail project underscores the company’s leadership in electrification and automation technologies. With more than 25 years of experience in DC technology, ABB is well-positioned to support industries in achieving record-breaking performance while advancing resilient and efficient power systems. The insights gained from this collaboration could pave the way for broader applications in marine, renewable energy, and industrial sectors.
For the maritime industry, the Ferrari Hypersail represents a significant step toward decarbonization. Traditional vessels rely heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.
This system is critical for ensuring the yacht’s self-sufficiency during long offshore voyages, where access to external power sources is limited or nonexistent. The ability to generate and manage power efficiently in such conditions could have far-reaching implications for the future of shipping and offshore industries.
As the maritime sector continues to explore ways to reduce its environmental footprint, projects like Ferrari Hypersail offer a glimpse into the future. The collaboration between ABB and Ferrari Hypersail not only pushes the boundaries of marine technology but also highlights the potential for renewable energy to transform industries. With the global push toward decarbonization, innovations like this could become the standard rather than the exception.
Looking ahead, the Ferrari Hypersail team plans to refine the yacht’s systems and prepare for its first major ocean racing challenges. The insights gained from these races will further inform the development of advanced power systems, ensuring that the technology remains at the forefront of marine innovation. For industries reliant on resilient and efficient power solutions, the lessons from this project could be invaluable.
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