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The key objective of this feasibility study is to ascertain if a 100% electric foiling Pilot Vessel, the 'eFoiler-Pilot', is a technical, and economically, viable solution for pilotage. As an island nation, 95% of UK trade by volume is moved by sea. Every person in the country will consume goods on a daily basis that have been provided to the UK by ship. Almost every ship entering or leaving a port, is required under UK law to engage an Authorised Pilot, who boards the vessel at sea, and takes conduct of the safe navigation of that vessel. Maritime Pilots are key to keeping these essential ships safely transiting in and out of UK ports and waterways ensuring the safe, timely and efficient movement of essential trade. Pilotage is also critical in protecting the national infrastructure and environment from damage or pollution, by eliminating accidents from untrained operators. Maritime Pilots are expert senior mariners who typically hold authorisations to work in a single port or area. Within their coastal area, they specialise in expert knowledge of the weather, tides, water depths, local conditions and traffic in order to navigate ships safely, timely and efficiently, in and out of constrained waterways and ports. In the UK alone, there are over 650 authorised pilots. Today, over 3,200 Pilot Vessels operate globally (around 960 registered in UK and EU), emitting 820,000 tonnes CO2e each year _\[Inventory of Air Emissions, LA Port, 2019\]._ Pilot Vessels account for 2% of all the waterborne emissions of large harbour operations such as Los Angeles. As the need for pilot vessels is expected to follow the anticipated growth of 6.4% of the world merchant fleet over the next 5 years, it is imperative that a disruptive solution to decarbonise Pilot Vessel operations is brought to market quickly. This project will ascertain the feasibility of the Artemis-eFoiler electric propulsion system as a solution to decarbonise Pilot vessel operations. **Key Objectives** * To undertake data collection and analysis of typical Pilot vessel duty cycles * Develop a Digital Twin of an optimised Artemis-eFoiler electric propulsion system and vessel platform (eFoiler-Pilot); * Develop a full mission simulation of the eFoiler-Pilot undertaking Pilot transfer operations in the Artemis Technologies simulator; * Investigate the potential reduction of lifecycle emissions of the solution and any barriers to adoption; and * Create a regulatory roadmap for the eFoiler-Pilot and plan for large-scale demonstration of the solution.

Hydrogen is anticipated a primary driver towards decarbonising the maritime sector with the UK and international shipping industry expected to require 75-95TWh in 2050 _\[UK hydrogen strategy publication\]_. The fuel cell market is currently ramping up production with several large factories planned in Europe. In 2020, the global Hydrogen Fuel Cells market size was $2.5B, and expected to reach $19B by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 33.4% during 2021-2027 _\[Valuates Report\]_. This collaborative R&D project brings together Artemis Technologies, Lloyd's Register, HySafer (Ulster University) and Energia Hydrogen to develop and test a novel Hydrogen Hybrid Range Extender system for Artemis-eFoiler propelled vessels, creating wider opportunities for decarbonisation of existing and new fleets in the commercial small to mid-size vessel markets. Currently, compact high-power density marinised fuel cell systems are not available for small to mid-size commercial vessels such as Pilot and Crew Transfer Vessels. Complications stemming from safe hydrogen storage and the implications of marinisation on the volume of fuel cells, pose significant barriers to entry. Operational requirements for these vessels place a heavy burden on required power, when considering special manoeuvres like safe transfer of technicians onto a wind turbine in the case of a Crew Transfer Vessel. This project will demonstrate a unique Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell offering an alternative to a single energy source. This solution tailors a net zero Hydrogen Hybrid system to the specific requirements of operators in multiple maritime sub-market segments, by optimising expenditure, infrastructure requirements, charge time and range. This is critical to overcome the high entry cost of hydrogen technology for early adopters. It will build on the work of the Belfast Maritime Consortium's advanced green maritime innovation cluster, as well as further develop the critical mass of proven world leading capability and expertise in the design and build of green technologies to support the sectors transition to net zero. Northern Ireland is making significant progress in the growth of zero-emission transport solutions through various national and international projects. It is incredibly important that we continue to build on what has been established and optimise the transport projects in Northern Ireland, leveraging the existing funding arrangements which have been secured from Interreg (€3.2M), OLEV (£3M) and UKRI (£33M), through the development of the Hydrogen Hybrid solution. This project will help build sustainable competitive advantage in the UK.

The last 10 years have seen unprecedented growth in the contribution of offshore wind power to the UK's energy needs. This growth is set to accelerate over the next decade, with a target to increase UK Offshore Wind capacity from 10GW today, to 50GW by 2030\. Today, there are over 90 high-speed Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) operating in UK waters, and a further 280 in the EU. On average, CTVs are operational for 250 days a year, burning 1,500 litres of diesel each day, resulting in a total of 472,850 tonnes CO2 of emissions across UK and EU each year. With an estimated 1,687 CTV vessels required to be built by 2050, to service the forecasted exponential growth in the UK and European offshore wind sectors, emissions are set to increase significantly in a 'business as usual' scenario. Therefore, it is imperative that a disruptive solution to decarbonise CTV operations is brought to market quickly. Led by Artemis Technologies and building on the work of the emerging Belfast Maritime Consortium cluster as a global centre of excellence for zero-emission maritime technology, this project brings together partners from across the whole supply chain to investigate the feasibility of the Artemis eFoiler(tm)electric propulsion system as a transformative solution to decarbonise global CTV operations. **Key Objectives:** * Validate the technical and environmental benefits of the Artemis eFoiler(tm) electric propulsion system and correlation with Digital Twin simulations; * Develop a Digital Twin of an optimised Artemis eFoiler(tm) electric propulsion system and vessel platform (eFoiler-CTV); * Full mission simulation of the eFoiler-CTV undertaking crew transfer operations in the Artemis Technologies simulator; * Investigate the potential reduction of lifecycle emissions of the solution and any barriers to future adoption; and * Create a regulatory roadmap for the eFoiler-CTV and plan for large-scale demonstration of the solution. Supporting the UK's Clean Maritime Plan, the results of this project will turbocharge the UK priorities of 'building back better, supporting green jobs, and accelerating our path to net zero'. The eFoiler-CTV has the potential to revitalise our ports and coastal communities, demonstrate the strength of the UK maritime sector, and its capability to deliver on the government's ambitious Net Zero target.

Led by Artemis Technologies and building on the work of the emerging Belfast Maritime Consortium cluster as a global centre of excellence for zero-emission maritime technology, this collaborative R&D project brings together partners from across the whole supply chain to accelerate the detailed design and engineering of a 24m electric foiling Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), the 'eFoiler-CTV', building towards deployment and real-world demonstration of the eFoiler-CTV by March 2025\. Today, there are over 370 high-speed CTVs operating in UK and European waters. On average, CTVs are operational for 250 days a year, burning 1,500 litres of diesel each day, each emitting an incredible 1,278 tonnes CO2e each year. With an estimated 1,687 CTVs required to be built by 2050, to service European O&M market growth, emissions will increase significantly in a 'business as usual' scenario. Therefore, it is imperative that a disruptive solution to decarbonise CTV operations is brought to market quickly. The main challenge with the decarbonisation of high-speed vessels is the lack of viable range. Water is a very dense fluid (830 times denser than air), so it requires a lot of energy to propel a boat through the water. The average range required for daily CTV operations is far greater than technically possible with standard vessels converted to battery or fuel cell operation. Over the last three years, Artemis Technologies has been developing a disruptive electric propulsion system, the 'Artemis-eFoiler'. The innovation integrates a high-power density electric drivetrain into an autonomously controlled hydrofoil, combining technologies from the automotive, yacht racing, and aerospace sectors. As an Artemis-eFoiler propelled vessel accelerates, the hydrofoils lift the hull up and out of the water, greatly reducing the wetted area and therefore drag. Providing the double benefit of both increased speed and fuel efficiency. In CMDC Round 1 eFoiler-CTV Feasibility study, the project partners created a detailed business plan showing cost for adoption of the eFoiler-CTV technology compared to a Diesel FastCat CTV and an electric non-foiling alternative. It was concluded that an eFoiler-CTV is not only technically feasible, but offers significant environmental benefits, as well as enhanced performance, and an increase in the typical CTV operating window. The eFoiler-CTV offers a return on investment for charter that is predominantly superior to fossil fuel alternatives and delivers superior range and performance to alternative zero emission solutions due to the increased drivetrain efficiency, and hydrodynamic benefits of foiling.