레저용 보트산업 확산을 위한 냇파워 에이치(NatPower H)의 신개념 녹색 수소 충전 네트워크

"지중해 풍경과 해양 생태계에서 착안한 줄무늬 구조와 유기적인 기하학 구조의 건축 디자인을 반영해", 안전성, 확장성 및 지속 가능성을 기반으로 한 순환성 녹색 수소 연료 솔루션 인프라

레저용 보트산업을 위한 녹색 수소 충전 네트워크 사업은 청정에너지 기업인 냇파워 그룹의 자회사인 냇파워 에이치(NatPower H)의 주도하에 진행하는 특별한 프로젝트이다.

이 프로젝트는 냇파워 에이치가 1억 유로를 투자해 이탈리아 전역의 25개 선착장과 항구에서 출발해 6년 동안 지중해 전역에 100개의 충전소를 구축하는 것을 목표로 진행한다. 2030년까지 세워질 100개의 충전소는 연간 최대 3,650톤의 녹색 수소를 공급하며, 매년 지중해를 운행하는 레저용 보트에 약 45,000톤의 온실가스 배출을 줄여줄 수 있기에 지속가능한 선박 인프라를 구축할 수 있다는 장점을 지닌다.

풍력, 태양광 및 기타 재생 에너지 인프라를 통해 생산하는 수소는 안정적인 천연 자원으로 전환되며 지속가능한 전력원에 대해 계속적으로 증가하는 글로벌 수요를 충족할 수 있게 해준다. NatPower H는 안전성, 확장성 및 지속 가능성이라는 3가지 핵심 원칙을 기반으로 녹색 수소 연료 솔루션을 처음 개발했다. NatPower H 충전소는 순환성과 해양 생태계 보호에 세심하게 초점을 맞추면서 업계 규정 및 인증을 준수하여 소형화, 안전성 및 탄력성을 보장하는 해양 응용 분야를 위한 입증된 RINA PED 인증 저압 금속 수소화물 기술을 사용하여 수소를 공급하게 된다.

NatPower H의 CEO인 파브리지오 자고(Fabrizio Zago)는 “녹색 수소의 생산, 저장 및 유통을 위한 최초의 글로벌 운영업체인 NatPower H를 설립하여 세계 최초의 레저 보트용 수소 충전 인프라를 구축했다”며 “수소가 레크리에이션 보트 및 요트 산업의 에너지 전환을 주도할 수 있는 가장 효율적인 솔루션이기에 연료 전지와 전기 모터를 통해 에너지 운반체로 수소를 사용하는 것은 환경을 존중하면서 뛰어난 성능을 제공하는 가장 유망한 옵션 중 하나로 입증되고 있다”고 설명한다.

세계적인 건축그룹 ZHA가 개발한 이 모듈형 시스템은 지중해 전역의 다양한 위치에 적용할 수 있으며, 크기, 좌석, 자전거 충전시설 및 보행자 동선과 같은 특정 지역의 요구사항을 원만히 수용해 각 주유소에 대해 맞춤형 구성으로 건설한다.

유기적인 건물 디자인은 ZHA가 자연에서 영감을 받은 것으로 지중해 풍경과 해양 생태계에서 발견되는 줄무늬 구조와 유동적인 기하학 구조를 십분 반영한다, 3D 로봇 자재 배치를 사용해 조립 건축물은 건축 폐기물을 최소화하는 동시에 자재 효율성을 향상시키고 대부분 사용된 자재는 재활용이 가능하다. 모듈식 시스템, 컴퓨터 설계 및 3D 프린팅에 특화된 건축사사무소의 노하우 덕분에 재료를 50% 가까이 줄여준다.

자하하디드 건축가 필리포 이노첸티(Filippo Innocenti)는 “저탄소 콘크리트로 건설한 ZHA 수소 충전소의 구조적 강도는 재료 사용 증가보다는 기하학을 통해 만들어졌으며, 건설 기술의 최신 혁신과 2,000년 전 로마인들이 지중해 전역에서 개발한 역사적인 엔지니어링을 결합한 스테이션은 생태학적으로 책임 있는 미래에 선도하는 NatPower H의 약속을 반영한 고급 원형 건축 기술이다”고 설명한다.

보트 산업은 점점 더 지속 가능한 선박을 요구하고 있으며, 전 세계 조선소는 이러한 생태학적 영향을 줄이기 위해 노력하고 있다. 현재 디젤 엔진의 사용을 금지하는 전 세계 해양보호지역의 경계는 업계에서 생태학적으로 지속 가능한 개발의 중요성을 한층 강조한다. 하지만 이러한 급속한 에너지 전환은 에너지원의 분배 및 연료 보급을 위한 인프라 부족 현상을 겪고 있다. 녹색 수소를 공급하기 위해 제반 인프라를 설치하는 NatPower H는 이탈리아의 모든 주요 선착장에서 지속 가능한 에너지 허브 네트워크를 구축하고 수소 동력 선박의 지속적인 개발 및 사용을 촉진할 수 있는 이상적인 조건을 구축하는 것을 목표로 한다. ANN

Architect_ Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)

ZHA Principal_ Patrik Schumacher, ZHA Project Director_ Filippo Innocenti

ZHA Project Associate_ Luciano Letteriello, 자료_ ZHA, Render by Tecma Solutions

The world’s first green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for the recreational boating industry will be initiated in 25 Italian marinas and ports with refuelling stations designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).

A €100 million investment led by NatPower H (part of the NatPower group) the green hydrogen infrastructure will begin installation in the summer of 2024 and targets the provision of 100 refuelling stations throughout the Mediterranean over the next six years, with further expansion to the world’s most popular regions for recreational boating.

Produced with wind, solar and other renewable energy infrastructure, green hydrogen is converted into a stable, natural resource using NatPower H technologies to meet the ever-increasing global demand for sustainable sources of power. Emitting only water vapor and warm air, hydrogen generates electrical power in a fuel cell. The 100 refuelling stations operational by 2030 will deliver up to 3650 tons of green hydrogen annually, eliminating approximately 45,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the Mediterranean’s recreational boats every year.

NatPower H has developed a green hydrogen fuel solution based on three key principles: safety, scalability and sustainability. The NatPower H stations will supply hydrogen using proven RINA PED certified low-pressure metal hydrides technologies for marine applications that ensure compactness, safety and resilience in compliance with industry regulations and certifications together with a meticulous focus on circularity and the protection of marine ecosystems.

“On the back of a renewable project pipeline that already exceeds 23 GW, we created 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,” stated Fabrizio Zago, Group CEO NatPower. “We believe hydrogen to be one of the most efficient solutions capable of driving the energy transition of the entire recreational boating and yachting industry. Specifically, the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier through fuel cells and electric motors is proving to be one of the most promising options, offering excellent performance while respecting the environment.”

The boating industry is increasingly demanding ever more sustainable vessels and the world’s shipyards are responding with solutions to reduce the ecological impact of their operations. The demarcation of protected marine areas around the world which now prohibit the use of diesel engines underscores the importance of ecologically sustainable developments in the industry. This rapid energy transition is currently held back by the lack of infrastructure for distribution and refuelling with zero-impact energy sources.

Installing the infrastructure to deliver green hydrogen, NatPower H aims to create a network of sustainable energy hubs in all major Italian marinas and establish ideal conditions to facilitate the ongoing development and use of hydrogen-powered vessels.

“The Italian shipbuilding industry leads the world in terms of the number of boats built, and our aim is to facilitate the energy transition of this crucial market, promoting the use of hydrogen-powered boats with no direct CO2 emissions,” stated Andrea Minerdo, CEO NatPower H. “Although the project has only just been launched, we already have a pipeline of 25 agreements with Italian marinas and ports, allowing us to start developing a global network of widespread hydrogen fuel stations.”

NatPower H is collaborating with ZHA to construct green hydrogen refuelling stations that are ecologically responsible and meet the highest safety standards. Drawing on ZHA's research into modular systems, the design is adaptable to the many varied locations throughout the Mediterranean, enabling a customized configuration for each refuelling station based on specific local needs such as overall size, seating, bike charging facilities and the pedestrian circulation within each port and marina.

Utilising 3D robotic material placement to create the segments of each structure, the stations are fully recyclable, dry-assembled masonry, minimising construction waste while also enhancing material efficiencies. The layered composition of 3D-printed blocks echoes the processes evident in nature which create the striated structures and fluid geometries of natural formations within Mediterranean landscapes and marine ecosystems.

The refuelling stations’ design has been developed from ZHA’s Computation and Design Research Group’s (ZHA CODE) collaborations with Block Research Group and Incremental3D investigating unreinforced masonry structures, 3D-printed concrete and sustainable digital concrete construction. Evident in the team’s acclaimed Striatus Bridge in Venice and the Pheonix Bridge at the Holcim Innovation Hub in Lyon, circular construction integrating computational design and 3D-printing reduces the structural materials required by up to 50% with no compromise in performance using blocks that can be easily disassembled and recycled.

“Built with low-carbon concrete, the structural strength of ZHA's hydrogen refuelling stations is generated through geometry rather than increased use of materials. Combining the latest innovations in construction techniques with the historic engineering developed throughout the Mediterranean by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago, the stations use advanced circular building technologies, reflecting NatPower H's commitment to an ecologically responsible future,” said Filippo Innocenti, Director of Zaha Hadid Architects.

NatPower H has also announced its partnership with Bluegame, the Sanlorenzo Group’s renowned yacht builders who are designing and constructing hydrogen-powered chase boats for two of the six teams participating in the 37th America’s Cup held later this year in Barcelona.

Supporting both the ‘American Magic’ team of the New York Yacht Club as well as the ‘Orient Express Racing Team’ of France’s Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, NatPower H will supply green hydrogen and implement refuelling procedures for each of the teams’ chase boats during their preparations for the Americas Cup this October. This partnership is part of a broader program by NatPower H demonstrating the benefits made possible with the establishment and widespread distribution of green hydrogen to the rapidly growing sustainable boating market around the world.

The green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for the recreational boating industry has been developed by NatPower H in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, BluEnergy Revolution, Fitchner, Linde, Studio Maresca, S.i.g.e. and Tecma Solutions.

NatPower H is a pioneering global developer of innovative technologies for the production, storage and distribution of green hydrogen. NatPower is an independent developer of infrastructural projects for clean energy generation, providing support to enterprises, utilities and investors globally. The company, boasting one of the largest renewable energy project pipelines in the world—totalling more than 20 GW—drives the energy transition process across all major technologies including solar, wind, storage and hydrogen. In just a few years, NatPower has secured its standing as one of the most prominent independent developers, actively operating in 7 different countries: Italy, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, USA, Canada, Tunisia and Chile. NatPower operates from offices in Milan, London and Washington D.C.

Design Team

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)

ZHA Principal: Patrik Schumacher

ZHA Project Director: Filippo Innocenti

ZHA Project Associate: Luciano Letteriello

ZHA CODE: Tommaso Casucci, Heba Eiz, Oliver Moldow, Taeyoon Kim, Binru Wang, Jianfei Chu, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry Louth, Shajay Bhooshan

Consultants Team

Strategic Positioning: Baglietto

American’s Cup Partnership: BlueGame

Hydrogen Technology Consultant: BluEnergy Revolution

Project Management & Engineering Advisor: Fichtner

Media & PR: Havas

Hydrogen and Technology Partner: Linde

Legal Consultant Partner: Studio Maresca

Safety Advisor: Sige

Communication & Images: Tecma Solutions