bill gates new yacht hydrogen

World's first hydrogen-powered superyacht — 'commissioned by Bill Gates' — hits the water and goes on sale for €600m

Dutch shipbuilder Feadship says technology developed for 'Project 821' is being used for Norway’s landmark H2 ferries

• Leigh Collins

Inside world’s first ever $1 billion hydrogen superyacht – and it’s linked to Bill Gates

The world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht has been unveiled in Amsterdam. It has taken Feadship 5 years to deliver Project 821, reportedly commissioned by Bill Gates.

Project 821 features 12 guest staterooms, two staff cabins, accommodation for 44 crew members, a hospital, library, elevator, cinema, pool with a moveable glass bottom, multiple hot tubs, steam room, a gym, separate owners deck with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two offices, and fourteen slide-out balconies.

What makes the Project 821 Feadship superyacht truly exceptional, however, is it is hydrogen-powered.

Jamie Edmiston, the CEO of yacht brokerage company Edmiston, represents the owner and is brokering the sale for a reported $1-billion. Edmiston says no expense was spared to build the groundbreaking vessel.

“The brief was to build the greenest and most environmentally advanced yacht ever built, without compromise,” says Edmiston. “It was a huge challenge, but one that the team has embraced and delivered on. The yacht we see today, designed by RWD and built by Feadship is without doubt the best yacht ever built. I am proud to have been involved since the inception of this idea.”

Neither Edmiston nor Feadship have revealed who commissioned the superyacht. eSysman Superyachts reported in April that it belongs to Bill Gates.

Jan-Bart Verkuyl, the CEO of Feadship Royal Van Lent shipyard, says pushing green superyacht technology as far as it could go was the mandate to develop of the vessel.

 “The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world,” Verkuyl says. Feadship has pledged to develop ‘net-zero’ yachts by 2030 and has an R&D team researching hydrogen and other fossil-fuel-free alternatives.

“The size of the proposed yacht – 100-metres-plus – made it a good candidate to explore pure green hydrogen as the fuel-cell source,” a Feadship statement reads.

“Even a yacht the size of  Project 821  cannot carry enough liquid hydrogen to power a crossing, but Feadship could impact a yacht’s carbon footprint where it is largest — generating electricity to serve the hotel load,” according to Feadship.

A yacht’s hotel load represents 70-78 per cent of a yacht’s annual total energy and heating and air conditioning make the largest demands, Feadship states. Air conditioning is a significant energy consumer on yachts, according to research from a maritime industry body .

“Supplying that electrical power via non-polluting hydrogen fuel cells has a swift and significant impact,” according to Feadship.

“Although there are hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars, and fuel cells have been used as the primary source of electrical power on human spaceflight for more than six decades, nothing existed in the maritime sector. There were no regulations for hydrogen storage and fuel-cell systems at class, flag-state or even the International Maritime Organisation level,” Feadship states.

Feadship, Edmiston and Lloyd’s Register developed new equipment, protocols and regulations for hydrogen to be used in the maritime industry. Feadship states that hydrogen fuel cells have water as their only exhaust, and are a combustion-free way to generate electricity.

“Project 821 features the most efficient waste heat recovery system yet developed, a system heating everything from the pool, Jacuzzi and steam room to the ambient air temperature and towel bars and floors in the guest bathrooms. Further savings in the hotel load will come from a Smart AC system linking sensors to an energy management system that automatically reduces air conditioning or heating in unoccupied guest spaces,” Feadship states.

When pure hydrogen is not available, electricity is generated by MTU generators combusting a biofuel said to reduce emissions by 90 per cent.

The work that has been done to deliver the no-expense-spared Project 821 superyacht is now being used for other vessels.

“The value of the research as well the development of class and flag safety regulations for an entirely new type of energy generation is an advancement we are proud to have made available to all,” says Verkuyl.

In 2025, two Norwegian ferries will operate using the system developed for Project 821.

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5 years in the making, eco-warrior Bill Gates’ hydrogen fuel-cell-powered megayacht is finally ready. A first of its kind in the world, the 373 feet long vessel has stealth balconies that pop out with the press of a button, multiple libraries, fireplaces, a private elevator, and a hospital

Bill Gates’ megayacht is equal parts clean and smart –

The stunning five-decker is a win-win vessel for an eco-conscious billionaire . From being innately clean, it even flaunts an efficient waste heat recovery system. It heats everything from the pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room to the ambient air temperature and towel bars and floors in the guest bathrooms. A Smart AC system includes sensors that automatically reduce air conditioning or heating in unoccupied guest spaces. Talk about a smart superyacht, and it could have only come from the genius of a tech tycoon! Back in 2020, rumor mills went abuzz with reports that Bill Gates pledged well over $600 million to build a 376-foot-long, hydrogen-powered superyacht concept. Guess there is no smoke without fire, and the result is now out of dry dock for all to see.

[All images of the Feadship Project 821 provided by Feadship]

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Company launches world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht

By Dean Murray via SWNS

The world's first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht, rumored commissioned by Bill Gates, has been officially launched and immediately put up for sale.

Project 821, linked with the Microsoft founder by industry news sites, is a 119-meter superyacht able to run on green hydrogen.

Dutch shipbuilder Feadship say the launch of the vessel on 4 May at their Amsterdam shipyard sees the yachting world “forever changed”.

The firm are not confirming billionaire Gate’s relationship with the yacht or why it is now up for sale, but rumors suggest it is being offered for around €600m (£515m).

Unlike traditional yachts that rely on diesel engines or other fossil fuel-based propulsion systems, hydrogen fuel-cell yachts use hydrogen as their primary fuel source.

Announcing the launch, Feadship Director Jan-Bart Verkuyl says: “The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world," said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Director / CEO Royal Van Lent Shipyard.

The company add that the size of the yacht made it a good candidate to explore pure green hydrogen as the fuel-cell source.

They say: “For those captivated by cutting-edge innovations, this yacht presents an opportunity for potential acquisition as it showcases the pinnacle of modern technological advancements.”

Feadship revealed that one of the biggest hurdles was developing a reasonable way to store compressed liquid hydrogen below deck at -253°C aboard a luxury yacht.

They say: “But investing in the required technology is necessary to make the transition away from fossil fuel, and hydrogen is one of the most efficient and cleanest options. When hydrogen is processed in a fuel cell, the only by-products are electricity and water in the form of steam."

A Feadship spokesperson says: “Feadship does not share any information about owners and prices, whether it is a 19-meter yacht from the 1960s or a 119-meter yacht from the 21st century.”

The post Company launches world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht appeared first on Talker .

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The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht Sets Sail

By Katherine McLaughlin

Traveling the deep blue just got a lot greener. Feadship, a Dutch shipyard, just launched what it claims is the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht. Dubbed Project 821, the 290-foot boat left the company’s Amsterdam shipyard on May 4, a monumental achievement following years of yacht concepts touted with the eco-friendly technology . “The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world,” said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship director and CEO of Royal Van Lent, in a statement.

RWD designed both the exterior and interior.

Designing and developing Project 821 was a five-year undertaking and part of the Feadship’s research into fossil-free fuel options for boats. The ship is partly powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which generate power through a chemical reaction rather than combustion. Many cars make use of this technology, but this is a first for superyachts. “The value of the research as well the development of class and flag safety regulations for an entirely new type of energy generation is an advancement we are proud to have made available to all,” Verkuyl added.

The hydrogen-powered superyacht was designed by RWD , a firm located in Hampshire, England. The owner’s deck is inspired by a luxury apartment, and features two bedrooms, twin bathrooms and dressing rooms, a gym, two offices, and a living room. On the lower deck, bookshelves wrap around a statement-making staircase in addition to a number of niches designed for small moments, such as board games or enjoying a cup of coffee. This is in addition to a library, stateroom, and sea terrace dining room. The interiors make use of a natural and light color palette crafted from organic materials such as leather, marble , and rattan .

Project 821 showcases a number of green advancements to make yachting more eco-friendly.

“RWD is immensely proud to have been involved in such a forward-thinking project,” Charlie Baker, a director at RWD, said. “We hope it inspires other projects to think differently in the future.”

Hydrogen requires heavy-duty storage tanks, which add significant weight to the boat and demand additional space. Though Project 821 is equipped to hold four tons of hydrogen and 16 fuel cells, it is not enough to fully power the vessel for long journeys. In cases where green energy alone is not enough, the boat is also fashioned with two generators. These combusts hydrotreated vegetable oil, which is a diesel-like fuel but doesn’t require fossil resources.

The boat is currently for sale through Edmiston, a superyacht sale and charter firm. “The brief was to build the greenest and most environmentally advanced yacht ever built, without compromise. It was a huge challenge, but one that the team has embraced and delivered on,” Jamie Edmiston, CEO of Edmiston, added. “The yacht we see today, designed by RWD and built by Feadship, is without doubt the best yacht ever built.”

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Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht

By Andrew Paul

Posted on May 7, 2024 11:13 AM EDT

3 minute read

'Project 821' took five years to build, and is currently for sale. Credit: Feadship

Superyachts are notoriously dirty luxury toys , with a single billionaire’s boat emitting as much as 7,020 tons of CO2 per year. And while it’s unlikely uber-wealthy shoppers are going to forgo from their statement vessels anytime soon, at the very least there’s now a chance to make superyachts greener. That’s the idea behind the new Project 821 , billed as the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht.

Announced over the weekend by Danish shipyard cooperative Feadship, Project 821 arrives following five years of design and construction. Measuring a massive 260-feet-long, the zero-diesel boat reportedly sails shorter distances than standard superyachts on the market, but still operates its hotel load and amenities using completely emissionless green hydrogen power.

Hydrogen cells generate power by turning extremely lightweight liquid hydrogen into electricity stored in lithium-ion batteries. But unlike fossil fuel engines’ noxious smoke and other pollutants, hydrogen cells only emit harmless water vapor. The technology remained cost-prohibitive and logistically challenging for years, but recent advancements have allowed designers to start integrating the green alternative into cars , planes , and boats .

There are still hurdles, however. Although lightweight, liquid hydrogen must be housed in massive, double-walled -423.4 degrees Fahrenheit cryogenic storage tanks within a dedicated section of the vessel. According to Feadship , liquid hydrogen requires 8-10 times more storage space for the same amount of energy created by diesel fuel. That—along with 16 fuel cells, a switchboard connection for the DC electrical grid, and water vapor emission vent stacks—necessitated adding an extra 13-feet to the vessel’s original specifications. But these size requirements ironically makes superyachts such as Project 821 arguably ideal for hydrogen fuel cell integration.

And it certainly sounds like Project 821 fulfills the “superyacht” prerequisites, with five decks above the waterline and two below it. The 14 balconies and seven fold-out platforms also house a pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, gym, pantry, fireplace-equipped offices, living room, library, and a full walkaround deck.

Such luxuries, however, will need to remain relatively close-to-harbor for the time being. Project 821 still isn’t capable of generating and storing enough power to embark on lengthy crossings, but it can handle an “entire week’s worth of silent operation at anchor or [briefly] navigating emission-free at 10 knots while leaving harbors or cruising in protected marine zones,” according to Feadship.

[Related: This liquid hydrogen-powered plane successfully completed its first test flights .]

“We have now shown that cryogenic storage of liquified hydrogen in the interior of a superyacht is a viable solution,” Feadship Director and Royal Van Lent Shipyard CEO Jan-Bart Verkuyl said in the recent announcement, adding that “additional fuel cell innovations… are on the near horizon.”

Of course, the greenest solution remains completely divesting from ostentatious, multimillion-dollar vanity flotillas before rising sea levels (and angry orcas ) overwhelm even the wealthiest billionaires’ harbors. But it’s at least somewhat nice to see a new eco-friendly advancement on the market—even if it still looks like a Bond villain’s getaway vehicle.

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Billionaire Bill Gates buys hydrogen-fuelled superyacht for $500 million

By Rebecca Cope

Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates is currently celebrating the engagement of his daughter, Jennifer, to Egyptian showjumper Nayel Nassar, but he's also got another reason to be happy - a brand new superyacht.

The 112-metre luxury vessel is the world's first hydrogen-powered super yacht, and will feature all the usual billionaire mod-cons, including an infinity pool, helipad, spa and gym. There are five decks, with accommodation for 14 guests and 31 crew members - more than two per person.

By Harriet Johnston

By Isaac Bickerstaff

As well as being powered by liquid hydrogen, another eco-feature are the fire pits, which are actually gel-fuelled fire bowls, designed to keep guests warm outdoors without burning wood or coal.

Costing in the region of $500 million, the Aqua ship was first publicised at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019 by Dutch design firm Sinot. Speaking then, the company's eponymous designer said, 'For the development of Aqua we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology, to combine this in a superyacht with truly innovative features.'

He went on to explain how the hydrogen fuel works, saying: 'AQUA is fuelled by hydrogen, a unique concept which represents a significant progression towards achieving a new balance between nature and technology. The system is based on the use of liquified hydrogen, stored at -253°C in two 28-ton vacuum isolated tanks. The liquified hydrogen is converted into electrical energy by proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, with water being the only by-product.'

The Daily Telegraph reports that the ship will be in service from 2024, and will reach speeds of 17 knots. It will be able to travel for 3,750 miles before refuelling but will also have a diesel back-up due to the lack of hydrogen refuelling stations available.

This will be the world's second richest man's first yacht. He has previously rented them for holidays, most recently including the $330m yacht Serene, which he borrowed from Stolichnaya vodka magnate, Yuri Scheffler, to sail around the coast of Sardinia.

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Bill Gates Yacht: Everything You Want To Know

In 2020 the yachting world was abuzz with news that Bill Gates had bought as stunning and advanced yacht known as Project Aqua. The massive, 370-foot concept yacht was revealed in 2019 at the Monaco Yacht Show and news soon followed that billionaire Bill Gates, once the richest man in the world and the founder of Microsoft, had commissioned the construction of his own hydrogen-powered Aqua. But that never actually happened and, in fact, as near as anyone can tell for real, Bill Gates doesn’t own a yacht at all. 

So where did the story come from? What’s the deal with the Aqua? And hasn’t Bill Gates been pictured on a yacht before? Let’s get some answers.

How Much Did the Aqua Yacht Cost at the Monaco Yacht Show?

According to the stories online, Bill Gates paid $600 million for the hydrogen powered yacht. But that’s not true at all. According to the yacht makers, the Dutch company Sinot, the price tag is $645 million but no one bought it after it was revealed at the Monaco Yacht Show, and that includes Bill Gates. It’s expensive but definitely not the most expensive in the world.

How Fast is the Aqua Yacht?

Aqua is a unique yacht in the yachting world which is why it garnered so much attention in the first place. It’s the first mega yacht that runs on a fully operational liquid hydrogen and fuel cell system that features two hydrogen engines that can produce 1,341 horsepower. The top speed is 17 knots and  the Aqua has a cruising speed of 12 knots. The total range is 3,750 nautical miles. The liquid hydrogen is stored in two 28-ton vacuum sealed tanks where it can be held at -253 degrees C. The only exhaust is water.

What Does the Interior of  the Aqua Yacht Look Like?

The Aqua has 7 suites meant to house up to 14 guests at any given time. Two of those suites are larger VIP cabins. The ceilings throughout are 9 feet and stretch as high as 12.5 feet elsewhere thanks to the luxury Sinot yacht architecture. The vessel has room for a crew of 31 as well. The beach deck lounge aboard the boat alone looks like a luxury hotel space.

The Aqua features a bow observation room which is surrounded by windows to give a panoramic view of the ocean which has been described as the “ultimate superyacht owners lounge.” In addition, there’s a movie theater on the upper deck. It also includes a wellness center with a hydro massage room. You can also do some yoga in a workout space. There’s a fully equipped gym, a beauty salon, and even a hairdresser.

Up on the main deck there’s a luxury swimming pool that even includes a waterfall. One of the yacht’s defining features is the spiral staircase that covers all five decks and is covered by a skylight. On the way up it also offers a view of the interior of the hydrogen fuel tanks so you can see just what 56 tons of ultra cold liquid hydrogen looks like as you move between decks. 

The tender garage has an array of toys such as jet skis while the main deck features a beach club with a dining area designed for all 14 guests and a lounge that converts into the cinema space.

What Yacht Has Bill Gates Actually Been On?

Bill Gates does seem to like yachts, just not enough to spend his money owning one, and that’s fair. Yachts cost millions to maintain every year. No one got rich spending millions to maintain a boat.

That said, Bill Gates has not only vacationed on yachts – he spent his 66th birthday on one – he also got married on a yacht.

In 2021, Gates made the news when he celebrated his 66th on board a luxury yacht called the Lana alongside Jeff Bezos. He spent $2 million to charter the yacht for a week and flew 50 guests out to celebrate with him. 

The Lana is a 351 foot yacht with room for 12 guests and a cruising speed of 12 knots with a max speed of 18 knots. The master suite is 1,184 square feet. The room features his and hers walk-in dressing rooms and a private terrace.

Elsewhere on board you’ll find a piano in the lounge area as well as a full gym for working out. There’s both a sauna and a well-appointed spa as well. On deck you can head to the beach club or take a dip in the pool. 

There are three tenders in the garage alongside a bunch of toys including various jetskis, a seabob, wakeboards, WindSurfers, fishing equipment, scuba diving equipment and more. 

Back in 2014, Gates rented an even more expensive yacht, the $5 million per week Serene, to go on a vacation with his family. The Serene, once owned by  Russian vodka magnate Yuri Shelfer before being purchased by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, clocked in at a massive 450 feet making it one of the world’s biggest and even had its own on board submarine

The Serene features 7 decks, a saltwater pool, a climbing wall, a surprisingly large library, health spa, outdoor cinema and a nightclub. This is all spread across 48,000 square feet.

It’s also been confirmed that Gates met his wife Melinda on a yacht owned by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, all the way back in 1994. 

Why Do People Think Bill Gates Owns the Aqua?

It’s easy to see why people may have thought Gates owned the Aqua when you consider a handful of factors. First, as mentioned, we have lots of evidence that Bill Gates really does enjoy luxury yachts. The extremely high price tag was something that only a few people in the world are going to be able to afford and Gates, who doesn’t own a yacht, seems like a likely candidate for those reasons. 

In addition, Gates has spent several years now as a climate activist and has supported a number of green technologies. A yacht that runs on hydrogen seems like something he would support as well. So, with no real evidence, the circumstantial evidence was enough to easily convince people. Once it’s presented as fact on the internet, and it was in many articles and videos, few people had reason to question it. 

The Bottom Line

The mega yacht known as the Aqua has a price tag of $645 million and it runs on clan burning hydrogen fuel. The only byproduct of its operation is water, making it a very environmentally friendly yacht. It made waves, so to speak, when it debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019. Rumors soon began to spread that billionaire and known climate activist Bill Gates had ordered one for $600 million. However, despite many videos and articles that refer to him as the owner, the truth is no one bought the Aqua at the yacht show and, as of 2023, Bill Gates does not own a yacht at all. He is know to charter extremely luxurious yachts for vacations and parties, such as the Lana and the Serene, but he does not own any just now.

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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Bill Gates reportedly has his eye on the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht — a $644 million, environmentally friendly oasis on the sea with its own infinity pool, helipad, spa and gym.

The billionaire Microsoft co-founder was initially rumored to have already commissioned the 370-foot luxury Aqua yacht in a report Sunday in the UK paper The Telegraph.

However, the Dutch design firm Sinot insisted Monday that Aqua had yet to be sold to Gates, stressing it did not yet have a “business relationship” with the second-richest person in the world.

“We invite any visionary client to show their interest,” insisted the company — clearly aiming at eco-warrior billionaires just like him, with designer Sander Sinot saying the inspiration was “the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner.”

The vessel is powered by two 28-ton vacuum-sealed tanks cooled to minus-423 degrees Fahrenheit and filled with liquid hydrogen — with the only emission being water, according to the report. It will reach a top speed of 17 knots (19.5 mph) and be able to cross the Atlantic, the report says.

While far from the world’s largest yacht, plans show extreme luxury for the 14 guests and 31 crew members who can be accommodated.

It includes its own fully equipped gym, yoga studio, beauty room, massage parlor and a stunning outdoor infinity pool.

Along with luxurious bedrooms, there are numerous outdoor lounges, a giant spiral staircase and an amazing observation room at the front.

Gates’ main motivation in wanting to commission the yacht would be to signal his backing for new, clean technology to cut carbon emissions, the Telegraph said.

He regularly takes superyacht vacations — but usually rents yachts rather than owning his own.

Whoever buys it will not be able to enjoy it for a few more years, however, with the report saying Aqua will not be ready until 2024.

The Gates Foundation and Gates Ventures declined to comment to the Telegraph for its report.

“Aqua is a concept under development and has not been sold to Mr Gates,” Sinoit insisted.

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The $644-Million Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht That Bill Gates Did Not Buy

The yacht will be ready after 2024 and will be one of the more eco-friendly ways to travel in luxury across the seas..

Fabienne Lang

Source: Sinot // Aqua

Several days ago, the entire media world — including major news organizations and design blogs — began reporting that Bill Gates bought a $646 million hydrogen-powered superyacht. Criticism and praise of this action subsequently flooded social media.

However, Gates did not, in fact , buy the yacht.

RELATED: WORLD’S FIRST HYDROGEN-POWERED SUPERYACHT IS HERE AND IT IS A BEAUTY

The Aqua superyacht

Nevertheless, clearly this a super-yacht demands attention. To anyone who has a cool $646 million lying around, traveling in an eco-friendly, conscience-clearing style has just become easier.

While Microsoft’s co-founder did not, in fact, become the first person to buy the environmentally-friendly, hydrogen-powered superyacht,  Aqua , it remains to be seen who will be the owner of this luxurious,  $646 million  dreamboat.

Built by the Dutch company  Sinot , the Aqua superyacht spans a whopping 112 meters ( 370 feet ) in length, features five decks, enough space for 14 guests and 31 crewmembers , an outdoor infinity pool, a helipad, a spa, and a gym.

All to say it smoothly carves through water, and is powered by two 1MW motors , run on supercooled hydrogen tanks.

Instead of burning coal or wood, the Aqua uses gel-base fire bowls in order to keep guests warm when on the outdoor decks. 

The unknown owner-to-be won’t be moving anywhere at top-speed though, as the superyacht only reaches speeds of up to 17 knots ( 31. 5 kph, or 19.6 mph ). That said, it has a 6,035 km (3,750 mile) range, which is plenty to cross oceans.

However, Sinot added one piece onto Aqua that’s not environmentally-friendly: its diesel engine backup. This is a fall-back option; if the Aqua can’t find a dock with a hydrogen-filling station, the superyacht will have to power itself forward by other means.

#aqua #boat #gear #green #hydrogen Bill Gates is the first to buy a hydrogen-powered ‘superyacht’ https://t.co/QL4Js0hKqi pic.twitter.com/48hGDi76ui — European Chamber of Digital Commerce (@Juchtervbergen) February 10, 2020

Sadly, no one can see it soar through the waves until after 2024 . Surely it will be a sight to behold.

Such a magnificent boat is solid proof that more environmentally-friendly ways to travel are coming into existence every day, and this might mean that similarly eco-friendly modes of transportation will soon be available to those with more modest financial situations. 

***Editors’ Note: Previously, we wrote that Bill Gates had purchased a $646-million hydrogen-powered superyacht. He did not. Every instance in this article of referring to Gates as the owner has been changed to reflect this. Additionally, statements reflecting the opinion or implying that Bill Gates could or should have reallocated his money into alternative energy research and production have been removed. Interesting Engineering offers its sincere apologies to our readers, and Bill Gates, for this serious error, and any subsequent problems or confusion it may have caused.   -IE Editorial***

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Fabienne Lang <p>Fabienne is a Berlin-based lifestyle, tech, and travel freelance writer and editor. As a fanatic of travel and experiences, 68 countries and counting, Fabienne leads an active and diverse lifestyle sharing her insights and tips along the way. Her words have appeared in international and national print and online publications: Exberliner, Culture Trip, Echelon, Giddy, Interesting Engineering, and more. You&rsquo;ll most likely find Fabienne voraciously reading, writing or on an active trip in far-fetched lands.</p>

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Gates doesn't want it

First hydrogen superyacht becomes a shelf warmer.

Project 821 is the world's first hydrogen fuel cell yacht - but despite its innovative, environmentally friendly propulsion system, the Dutch shipyard Feadship is apparently struggling to find a well-heeled owner. Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, who is said to have ordered the floating temple of luxury, no longer wants to ...

The Feadship 821 is almost 119 meters long - offering plenty of space for luxury. The superyacht has 14 balconies and seven fold-out platforms where you can dive into the sea. On the owner's deck, there are two bedrooms with two bathrooms, several changing rooms, a gym, a living room and two offices, which are even equipped with fireplaces. A whirlpool also invites you to relax. There is even an elevator in the ship.

Hydrogen is stored in a huge tank at -253 degrees But the really unique feature of the new yacht is to be found in the engine room. The ship has a 92 cubic meter hydrogen tank in which the gas is stored at -253 degrees Celsius. The tank is up to ten times larger than would be required for the energy equivalent of diesel fuel - because it has to be double-walled for safety reasons.

The fuel can be generated into electricity in 16 fuel cells. According to the manufacturer, the ship should be able to spend a week in port without producing any emissions or be able to travel at a speed of ten knots (around 18.5 km/h) for a much shorter period of time. The hydrogen is therefore intended to supply electricity for consumers such as heating or air conditioning. "Providing this electrical energy via environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel cells has a rapid and significant impact," Feadship is convinced.

ABB pod drives for longer trips For longer trips, there are also 3200 kilowatt ABB pod drives that run on HVO fuel. This synthetic biofuel is said to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent. HVO is produced from vegetable oil.

Environmentalist Gates is said to fear criticism Despite these more environmentally friendly properties - in comparison with a conventional superyacht - Microsoft founder Gates apparently no longer wants it, even though he is said to have commissioned it. There is speculation about the reasons for this: The prominent environmental activist may fear coming under criticism, it is thought. After all, despite hydrogen technology, the CO2 footprint of such a huge yacht is enormous, which could damage Gates' image. The Wayfinder yacht, which has already been purchased and was intended as a dinghy for Project 821, is also said to be up for sale.

The price for the floating innovation is quoted in media reports at 600 million US dollars. However, the sale is being handled discreetly - in this price range, only a limited group of wealthy potential buyers are eligible anyway.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here .

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Internet not buying claims after Bill Gates announces selling of 'green' megayacht: 'There is no way'

"There is no way they are actually pretending that there are eco-friendly yachts."

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Photo Credit: Feadship

Can a megayacht really be green? That's the question Redditors asked after Bill Gates put his yet-to-be-completed large boat up for sale.

The asking price is €675 million, according to The Telegraph (via Yahoo ), which reported that the "green" aspect of the ship may be more aspirational than existent.

It is fueled by hydrogen , but of course, there is a catch: diesel generators for longer and faster trips (they can reportedly run on hydrotreated vegetable oil).

The specs alone belie the descriptor. The yacht is two meters longer than Jeff Bezos' and features a four-story private townhouse with a gym. There are 14 retractable balconies, a spa, a pool, two hot tubs, a movie theater, a library, a games area, a coffee corner — and a hospital.

It sounds amazing. It also sounds unnecessary — like, no one-needs-to-experience-this- ever unnecessary. Twelve guest rooms and accommodations for 44 crew members?

As the original poster wrote: "Green super yachts? They're taking the p*** now."

Watch now: Solar-powered boats from the Honnold Foundation are making a difference in the Amazon

The top comment stated : "Maybe the part underneath is painted green? Because there is no way they are actually pretending that there are eco-friendly yachts."

Another user wrote "Super yacht" and "green" on separate lines and said, "Pick one."

"Nothing these billionaires do is whatever 'green' is," someone else said .

The Telegraph pointed out that Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, is "a leading advocate of decarbonising the energy system." The yacht, more than four years in the making , signaled his dedication to such initiatives, but the industry has tanked with Russia's war in Ukraine and global economic uncertainty.

And even if this particular project is hypocritical, Gates has been pushing the investment in renewable energy and divestment from the dirty energy sources that overheat the planet. The outlet cited an op-ed he wrote in The New York Times in December.

"Very wealthy individuals should also be making changes to their lifestyles to bring their emissions close to zero," Gates stated. "If you fly in a private jet, as I do, you can afford the extra cost of sustainable aviation fuel made from low-carbon crops and waste ."

He also put the onus on companies and governments to lead us into a cleaner future.

As for Gates selling his boat before it's even completed?

"He must have been buying too many avocados on toast," one Redditor joked . "Poor guy."

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.

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PORTLAND, Ore.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--NW Natural and Modern Hydrogen welcomed more than 100 guests and employees to an official unveiling of a new project that is producing clean hydrogen while capturing solid carbon.

Equipment designed by Modern Hydrogen and installed at NW Natural’s Central Resource Center in southeast Portland uses a process called methane pyrolysis.

Solid carbon being captured from this process is collected and incorporated into Modern Hydrogen’s proprietary, performance-enhancing asphalt products. These are used in applications such as paving and road repair projects—including a section of asphalt surrounding the equipment installation at NW Natural’s facility.

Hydrogen generated on site is blended with natural gas and delivered via existing energy infrastructure.

“Over the years we have held to our core values of safety and service, while embracing new technologies and better ways of doing things,” said NW Natural CEO David Anderson. “Today we’re looking to renewable natural gas, clean hydrogen, carbon capture and other ways to decarbonize our system. People are eager for solutions that can be put into action today, and we’re proud to play our part.”

“We are proud to stand at the forefront of this transformative journey, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in energy production and environmental stewardship,” said Modern Hydrogen Co-Founder and CEO Tony Pan. “Together, we are not just witnessing, but actively participating in history with the launch of innovative systems that revolutionize hydrogen production, leverage existing infrastructure for a cleaner future, capture and repurpose carbon, and significantly reduce the carbon footprint of gas utilities.”

Modern Hydrogen’s Tony Pan cited several landmark firsts being achieved through this utility partnership, including the first utility distributed pyrolysis system, the first pipeline injection of pyrolytic hydrogen, and the first solid carbon capture project for both companies.

NW Natural’s David Anderson credited the Modern Hydrogen and NW Natural project teams as well as workers represented by local unions and contractors in getting the project up-and-running.

This three-year pilot project is the latest effort by NW Natural to explore potential hydrogen applications. This includes extensive testing at our Sherwood Operations and Training facility, demonstrating the safety and performance of hydrogen blends ranging from 5 to 20 percent in natural gas systems and equipment.

NW Natural is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on multiple fronts, reimagining the role of the natural gas system and the fuel that we deliver. This includes pursuing a combination of decarbonization measures that include energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon offsets, and carbon capture. Replacing conventional natural gas over time with alternatives like renewable natural gas and clean hydrogen is central to achieving that vision.

About NW Natural

NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately two million people in more than 140 communities through more than 800,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural, a part of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has been doing business for 165 years. NW Holdings owns NW Natural, NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests. We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. Learn more in our latest ESG Report .

About Modern Hydrogen

Modern Hydrogen is a global leader in distributed hydrogen technologies, specializing in methane pyrolysis and advanced carbon management solutions. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Seattle, Modern Hydrogen leverages existing natural gas infrastructure to deliver practical, clean energy solutions tailored for sectors that are traditionally difficult to decarbonize. With the backing of prominent investors and customers including Bill Gates, NextEra Energy, National Grid, and Northwest Natural, Modern Hydrogen is committed to transforming energy systems to be both cleaner and more cost-effective. Access imagery and videos in our press kit and discover more about our mission and innovations at www.ModernHydrogen.com .

Stefanie Week [email protected]

SF billionaire meets his match: A stubborn tenant named Bill Gates

One tiny law firm refused to give up its lease in downtown San Jose—even as its building was slated for demolition.

• Copy link to this article

“How’d you even know we were here?” says Bill Gates, chuckling over the phone. “I’ll meet you in the lobby in 10 minutes.” 

Gates sounds amused that someone managed to find where he and his colleagues have been holed up. For the past five years, most people who walk by his office in the fenced-off CityView Plaza in downtown San Jose assume the place is empty. 

There’s no furniture downstairs, yet the front door is unlocked. On the building’s directory, inscribed in a tiny font, one name remains: Gates Eisenhart Dawson Attorneys at Law. 

It took him 50 years, but Gates (not the computer mogul) finally has the luxury office he’s always dreamed of. The 83-year-old lawyer parks his Lexus SUV right up at the footstep of the building at 125 S. Market St., steps out with a bunch of documents in hand, and greets a reporter with a big smile: “Let me show you to our private elevator.”  

There, in the corner of the empty lobby, a metal door slides open. None of its buttons work except for the one that takes you to the 12th floor and the one that sends you back down.

Normally, this scene would suggest a foreclosure or the existence of squatters, but Gates, his partners and staff are legal tenants. Despite everyone around them disappearing, his law firm has dutifully paid its rent each month. In exchange, the landlord keeps the water and lights on and pays for a janitorial staff to service the single floor daily. 

“Where else are you going to get this type of white glove service?” Gates says. Although, looking down at the 600,437 square feet of office ruins beneath his upstairs window doesn't exactly feel uplifting.

It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. Before the pandemic spurred a mass exodus of office workers in downtown San Jose, CityView was a prime piece of land that powerful real estate groups competed for and city leaders desperately wanted to see redeveloped. 

To do so, they just needed the old guard like Gates to leave so that they could bring in the bulldozers.

The race to build in San Jose

In the previous decade, the Jay Paul Company, owned by the San Francisco billionaire Jay Paul, made its name and fortune snagging the likes of Microsoft, Google, Meta and Amazon as single tenants at its massive office properties across the Bay Area. The firm bet it could do the same in San Jose, the region’s most populous city. 

Throughout 2018 and 2019, at the peak of the pre-pandemic real estate boom, the Jay Paul Co. purchased CityView and select properties around it for nearly $1 billion, with an eye toward razing everything and erecting a shiny new “urban campus” totaling nearly 5 million rentable square feet of office space. 

At the time, the existing plaza was over 90% leased. Ironically, in hindsight, the new owner spent millions of dollars to get those tenants to leave, even hastily acquiring an old office tower up the street for a then-record $667 per square foot, or $238 million total, to potentially relocate tenants who wanted to remain in the area. 

“Jay Paul is usually patient, eager to develop things from the ground up,” said a source familiar with the firm’s—and its eponymous founder’s—thinking. “But there, he rushed into an overpay just so that he could have CityView. It didn’t matter what the numbers were. Once he had his heart set on something, there was no stopping him.”

Gates and his longtime partner Jim Dawson nabbed Suite 1200 at 125 S. Market St. in 2009, long before all of the hype of Google potentially coming into town. In the midst of the Great Recession, the pair signed a discounted six-year lease for a 4,446-square-foot office that contained two options to renew for additional five-year increments. Today, Dawson’s corner office has arguably one of the best panoramic views of San Jose. 

“Why would we want to go anywhere else if we don’t have to?” he says.

Happy with their business-class digs acquired on the cheap, the tenants exercised their first renewal option in 2015. While in the midst of that term, the Jay Paul Co. acquired their building. 

That’s when the pressure campaign to leave began to ratchet up. “They did everything short of literally smoking us out,” Gates recalled.

First, the cafes and restaurants disappeared, followed by the retail, and then the beauty school. One by one, they watched as all of their neighbors slowly left, until they were the last ones standing. 

The meeting

In December 2019, at the time a devastating volcano eruption derailed his New Zealand vacation, Jay Paul hopped on a private jet and flew directly to San Jose to personally size up the small law firm that had rebuffed his company’s multiple overtures to exit CityView. 

“He was probably wondering if we were some gnats on a windshield or a real problem he'd have to deal with,” said Gates. Representatives with the Jay Paul Co. did not respond to multiple requests for comment. 

According to Gates and Dawson, one of the first things Paul did in the meeting was pull out his phone to show them a picture of his 190-foot yacht docked in the ocean. “And here, check it out, this is me on the Forbes billionaires list ,” Dawson recalled Paul saying. 

The three men, who are all around the same age, shared a cordial conversation in which Paul invited Gates and Dawson to someday join him on one of his worldly escapades. It would all be fun if they would just move along, he implied, so that the Jay Paul Co. could finally get going on its ambitious redevelopment at the same time the other big players were. 

Dawson replied, “Sorry, sir, but your priorities are not our priorities.” They wouldn’t see him again. 

Just three months later, while the region was still freshly locked down during the pandemic, the Jay Paul Co. won approvals from the San Jose Planning Department to demolish and redevelop CityView. 

Janette D'Elia, chief operating officer of Jay Paul, told city leaders at a meeting that the company’s combined investments in downtown San Jose would total more than $5 billion once all was said and done. They intended to start construction later that year. 

“This extraordinary investment in our city couldn’t come at a better time when we critically need to get people to work,” former San Jose mayor, now congressional candidate Sam Liccardo said after the approval. “I’m sure in a few months, when the existing projects wrap up, we’re going to have a lot of construction workers out of jobs, and this is going to be really a great shot in the arm for our city.”

At the same time city hall was celebrating, Gates Eisenhart Dawson quietly exercised its second renewal option, extending its lease at CityView to 2026. 

The lawsuit

By now, the complex had been emptied out, all doors except for one chained, and the main courtyard fenced off. But when it came to its sole remaining tenant, the Jay Paul Co. had its hands tied. It couldn’t just jack up the rent to price the law firm out. According to the firm's lease, any increase had to be in line with the “prevailing market rate.” 

Here, timing was everything. Even though Gates Eisenhart Dawson notified its landlord in May 2020 that it intended to stay at CityView, the renewed lease wouldn’t actually commence until July 2021. 

Citing the market conditions from 2020, Jay Paul Co. informed the tenant the new rate would be $5.50 per square foot if they wished to stay. Gates and Dawson argued it should’ve been closer to $3.50 given the sharp rise in office vacancies since the pandemic. 

The difference between the two rates was nearly $10,000 a month. “Nobody actually reads this shit except for people like us,” Dawson said. 

After a year of failed negotiations, Jay Paul Co. got roped into a bigger fight than it had bargained for when it first embarked on the redevelopment. The tenants sued their landlord in civil court in September 2021, arguing that the new rent was unfair. This set back the CityView demolition even further, with a bench trial not scheduled until July 2023.

According to court documents, Judge Nicole Isger ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, Gates Eisenhart Dawson, in a trial that lasted a little over two days last summer. Both sides brought in expert witnesses to testify on their behalf, and the courts ended up studying a total of six nearby offices that were comparable in location, size and amenities, among other factors, to render its decision. 

Ultimately, it was determined that the prevailing market rate for Suite 1200 at 125 S. Market at the time of the renewal was $3.70 per square foot. The law firm not only got to keep its office, but it got to lock in an affordable rent without ever having to leave. 

‘Anything is better than nothing’

Even if they’ve slowed down a bit at their advanced ages, Dawson and Gates are still coming into the office every day. 

Between the two, Dawson is the trial litigator and Gates is the behind-the-scenes guy with the business and political connections. Together, they’ve tried hundreds of civil cases and advised thousands of clients, some of whom were involved with powerful real estate interests, similar to the Jay Paul Co. 

The firm employs two paralegals, an office manager, a receptionist, a law student and even sublets a desk to a 40-plus-year injury-attorney veteran, John Kevin Crowley, who like them, also refuses to retire. 

“That’s my social media,” says Crowley, pointing to four pieces of paper taped to the outside of his office wall. One printout promotes the book he wrote in 2021 about the “history of Jurisprudence.” 

“I have to call about that damn thing almost every day,” Gates says, pointing to the thermostat in his office. On a warm Tuesday afternoon, it is 86 degrees outside, and the building’s air conditioning has stopped working, turning the entire floor into a mini sauna. 

Since the building was built in 1972, these days whenever one floor needs maintenance, workers just cannibalize unused parts from the vacant ones, Gates says. Letter mail and packages sometimes get lost since some mail carriers assume the building is vacant.

One look into Gates’s office and it is clear why the prospect of moving never seemed remotely appealing to him. His shelves are lined with decades of memorabilia, ranging from pictures with governors Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger to awards he won serving in the U.S. military or as chief of staff to the late state senator Al Alquist before he met Dawson. 

“We’re cheap and we’re proud of it,” Gates says of the firm’s office. Dawson says he prefers the term “value shoppers.” 

As for the Jay Paul Co., CityView has become another expensive drag in a portfolio that used to function as a money printing machine. One of its newer properties, the 181 Fremont skyscraper in San Francisco, recently saw Meta list all 34 of its office floors up for sublease. 

In Austin, Texas, the company is also set to unveil a 30-acre office campus in June, according to the Austin Business Journal. Per real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, Austin has an overall office vacancy rate of 27.3%. 

Back in San Jose, local brokers say CityView has quietly been reopened for leasing again since Jay Paul Co. still owes taxes and loan payments on the property and the demolition and redevelopment plans, for now, are postponed. 

To make matters worse, the developer completed a brand new 1 million-square-foot office building last year, directly across the street from the plaza, which remains empty to this day. When the Jay Paul Co. first announced the project, called 200 Park, it envisioned a single tech tenant occupying every floor.

Now it serves as a glossy warning sign to other developers not to count their Silicon Valley chickens. Jay Paul Co. is said to be open to any number of ideas to get 200 Park at least partially utilized, according to other brokers who have inquired about the vacant building.

“Anything is better than nothing,” said Bob Staedler, principal of land-use consultancy Silicon Valley Synergy. “It just goes to show how dangerous speculation can be.” 

If demand for a newly constructed building is already tepid, then it stands to reason that adding another few million square feet on top of it would be foolhardy for Jay Paul Co. The developer admitted as much in March, when it requested an extension for its redevelopment permit that it secured at the onset of the pandemic. 

“Current financial markets and a reduced demand for office leasing have made the short-term leasing feasibility of this project untenable within the currently defined timeline,” Jay Paul Co. said in the filing with San Jose city planners.

Other companies came to that realization sooner. 

Last summer, BXP, also known as Boston Properties, paused its massive office development near the Diridon train station despite already breaking ground in 2020. Months later, Google abruptly broke up with its real estate partner , Lendlease, effectively putting its own new megadevelopment on hold too. Others in town are pivoting to either residential or mixed-use projects. 

Viewed through those lenses, perhaps the Gates Eisenhart Dawson lawsuit actually saved Jay Paul Co. from throwing more good money after bad.

And if that’s true, maybe the billionaire developer actually owes Bill Gates and Jim Dawson a debt of thanks.

“You think that offer to go on his yacht still stands?” Dawson says.

Kevin V. Nguyen can be reached at [email protected]

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