HaveBlue LLC (Ventura Harbor, CA) announced that it reached an agreement with Texaco Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC (TOHS, Rochester Hills, MI) that calls for the company to provide the developmental metal-hydride hydrogen storage system for HaveBlue's X/V-1 marine hydrogen fuel technology demonstration vessel.
The first of its kind, the X/V-1 is a modified Catalina 42mk II provided by program sponsor Catalina Yachts that will utilize hydrogen energy produced through renewable resources to economically deliver all required power and propulsion. HaveBlue's patented propulsion and power generation system produces renewable hydrogen from purified sea water using clean energy power sources such as solar panels, wind generators and regenerative electric drive motors. The X/V-1 will complete testing and public demonstrations of HaveBlue's patented technology through 2004, with the goal of limited retail availability in 2005.
TOHS will provide its storage system technology using proprietary metal hydrides to store the hydrogen produced by HaveBlue's patented technology in a safe, solid form aboard the modified Catalina 42mk II, and will also provide technical support. Financial terms of the agreement were not released. TOHS will also join the list of industry leaders sponsoring the X/V-1 technology demonstration program. Subject to the completion of a successful test program, the agreement further calls for TOHS to become an approved supplier to licensees of HaveBlue's patented technology, and HaveBlue will also become an authorized wholesale distributor of TOHS systems to the marine marketplace.
