FOSSIL-FREE ON THE HIGH SEA
Whale watching aboard the world’s first hydrogen-powered ship.Iceland is set to launch the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger ship, the latest sign that Iceland is working hard to become one of the first nations to break free from the constraints of fossil fuel.
The good ship Elding – Icelandic for “Lightning” – is set to embark on its first run from Reykjavik harbor on April 24. Visitors to Europe’s northernmost capital will get a taste of the future by taking whale-watching tours aboard Elding, or by renting one of the world’s first hydrogen-powered rental cars.
Icelandic energy company Nýorka is engineering the generator on board Elding. The company will replace the oil-powered generator of the 130 ton cruise boat with a version that runs solely off hydrogen. The design is pollution-free and will eradicate vibrations caused by the current engine that might disturb marine life, an appealing benefit for Reykjavik Whale Watching, the eco-friendly adventure company that owns the ship.
Icelanders seem ready to embrace hydrogen as a fuel. One survey showed a 93% public acceptance, a fact attributed to the relatively few negative effects of hydrogen. Two-thirds of electricity in volcanic Iceland is already derived from renewable sources – its plentiful rivers and waterfalls and the geothermal heat that boils beneath its crust.
Big shoutout to Nýorka for the groundbreaking work, to Reykjavik Whale Watching for making a total commitment to eco-friendly vehicles, and to the entire country of Iceland for working hard to break the bad habit of fossil fuels. Godspeed, Elding!
Sources and resources:
The good ship Elding – Icelandic for “Lightning” – is set to embark on its first run from Reykjavik harbor on April 24. Visitors to Europe’s northernmost capital will get a taste of the future by taking whale-watching tours aboard Elding, or by renting one of the world’s first hydrogen-powered rental cars.
Icelandic energy company Nýorka is engineering the generator on board Elding. The company will replace the oil-powered generator of the 130 ton cruise boat with a version that runs solely off hydrogen. The design is pollution-free and will eradicate vibrations caused by the current engine that might disturb marine life, an appealing benefit for Reykjavik Whale Watching, the eco-friendly adventure company that owns the ship.
Icelanders seem ready to embrace hydrogen as a fuel. One survey showed a 93% public acceptance, a fact attributed to the relatively few negative effects of hydrogen. Two-thirds of electricity in volcanic Iceland is already derived from renewable sources – its plentiful rivers and waterfalls and the geothermal heat that boils beneath its crust.
Big shoutout to Nýorka for the groundbreaking work, to Reykjavik Whale Watching for making a total commitment to eco-friendly vehicles, and to the entire country of Iceland for working hard to break the bad habit of fossil fuels. Godspeed, Elding!
Sources and resources:
1. Malaya - article
2. Icelandic New Energy - website
3. Reykjavik Whale Watching - website
1 comment:
great news! now if all other countries could catch on...
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