Eco Factor: Catamaran uses a lithium-ion battery charged by wind as auxiliary power source.
The Tang is a yet another good looking, high performance wind powered catamaran from Tag Yachts that runs on wind energy even when its sails are lowered. A collaborative effort by International Battery and Electric Marine Propulsion, this stylish yacht is presently under testing at Tag’s facility in St. Francis Bay, South Africa. This carbon-fiber speedboat comes equipped with twin E motion 18-kilowatt permanent-magnet motors powered by a 144-volt lithium-ion battery pack.
The vessel’s propellers spinning in the wake, under sail turn the 18-kilowatt propulsion motors, which automatically become generators and regenerates electricity to the batteries. During times when there is not enough wind to power the batteries, the two 22-kilowatt diesel generators generate energy to power the lithium-ion battery pack. In addition, it has a 144-volt charger that can be plugged into a range of outlets with different voltages and frequencies.
The battery pack supplied by International Battery not only powers the yacht, but also generate sufficient energy to power many electronics onboard. The electronics include a 37-inch flat-screen TV, LED lighting, two refrigerator-freezers, a dishwasher, a microwave, an air-conditioner and a water maker. This stunning catamaran will be officially shown at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2011.
Via: CNet
