The GEH2 on a "live" tour
The summer and the start of the school year in September were conducive to numerous demonstrations of the operation of our pre-production GEH2. From the Port of Toulon to the Formula 1 French Grand Prix at Le Castellet, from the 24 Hours of Le Mans to the Assises de la Mer in Nice, including the international Sail GP regatta in Saint-Tropez, no less than six events occupied the summer of the GEH2. Our electro-hydrogen generator was once again able to prove its effectiveness in helping decarbonize events as an alternative to diesel generators, without emissions and always in silence. Here's a summary of a memorable tour.
A winning formula
Following the Paris de l'Hydrogène at the end of May, which allowed the Eiffel Tower to be illuminated with a superb sound and light show, and after a first test run in early June in the south of France as part of the Hydrogen Days from the Port of Toulon, on the sidelines of the HYNOVA Yachts Sea Show, the GEH2 entered the automotive events scene by going to the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet, in the Var, for a demonstration of its performance at the occasion of the Formula 1 French Grand Prix the week of June 15 to 20.
Invited to participate in the "Choose France Smart & Sustainable Mobility" event, the EODev teams were alongside the Mission H24, MILLA, H2 Aero, Angell and CATHyope projects to promote hydrogen as a solution for the future ; taking part in round tables bringing together organizers of major events, racing teams, manufacturers, start-ups and institutions. The "hospitality" part of the Circuit Paul Ricard was thus supplied with zero emission electricity all week, while Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO of EODev, detailed to the audience the operation, applications and decarbonization objectives resulting from the development of the GEH2.
Thanks to Linde France for its participation in the event and the supply of renewable hydrogen for our GEH2, thanks also to the organizers for their invitation, and a big thank you in particular to Mr. Alexandre Bazire for allowing us to make this demonstration and provide all the explanations to an audience eager for smart energy solutions.
24 hours non-stop
The fans of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held exceptionally on the weekend of August 21 and 22 (due to the health restrictions in the spring), then discovered the benefits of using the electro-hydrogen group designed by EODev. Supplying electricity to the Fan Zone, the EODev teams on site introduced to the young and old racing aficionados the operation of our clean and silent technology. Running continuously, like racing cars on the track, the GEH2 demonstrated its efficiency, ease of use, reliability and sobriety - by consuming only a few kilos of hydrogen - to meet the demands of electricity needs of an off grid area. A practical as well as useful example of the possibility of turning to a clean alternative to provide additional energy during events, or as prime power in remote areas.
The icing on the cake, Toyota, whose fuel cell equips the GEH2 achieve its fourth victory in 23 participations, with the Toyota # 7 and # 8 taking top spots of the 89th edition of this mythical endurance race. Like our GEH2, a great demonstration of efficiency and reliability from the Japanese firm.
A true pioneer in hydrogen, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organizer of the event, proved again its commitment to the energy transition and highlighted its CSR strategy.
Full sail in Saint-Tropez
In parallel with the Cannes Yachting Festival organized from September 7 to 12, during which EODev presented its electro-hydrogen generator for maritime use REXH2, the EODev teams were also mobilized alongside Energy Observer's team a mere stone's throw from the Riviera to take part in the French series of the international Sail GP regatta bringing together these Formula 1 of the seas mounted on foils between September 10 and 12.
While the Energy Observer team installed the "Cube" exhibition of the Odyssey of the first completely energy autonomous vessel, the EODev team connected the IT container for the regatta organization with its GEH2. During these few intense days, when power failure is not an option, the GEH2 once again demonstrated its reliability in real conditions, without noise (it is silent) and without a glitch. It was also an opportunity for the EOProductions team to shoot a short video clip for educational purposes, visible HERE.
The National Assises of the Economy of the Sea
The French stage of Sail GP and the Cannes Yachting Festival barely finished, the GEH2 then reunited with its little brother REXH2 on September 14 and 15 in Nice for the 16th edition of the Assises of the Economy of the Sea, bringing together more than 1,500 participants from major players in the French maritime community. As an actor in the energy transition, EODev attended the congress both on the Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur stand with its onboard generator REXH2 and on the port with HYNOVA Yachts and Energy Observer.
On this occasion, our GEH2 hydrogen genset was used to power a yacht without noise and emissions, the opportunity for many delegates from all over France and overseas to come and discover EODev hydrogen solutions for clean port ecosystems. It was also a chance for our teams to be able to share their passion and explain to schoolchildren from Nice, who came in large numbers, how our zero-emission power generators operate, and the reasons for our participation in building a more sustainable world.
It should be noted that this congress also provided an opportunity for an update on the progress made in terms of energy transition in the maritime space, and to once again put hydrogen at the forefront of the solutions to be taken into account, Mr. Christian Estrosi, President of the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Area and Mayor of Nice announcing, in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron, the shift to hydrogen-powered solutions for a maritime link between Nice and Monaco - which also anticipates the presence of hydrogen refueling stations, and thus the development of a complete terrestrial and maritime ecosystem all hydrogen players are calling for.
Thank you to the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis, the City of Nice, Ouest-France and Le Marin for their invitation and their involvement in the current energy transition ; and to all the actors who contribute and allow us to demonstrate that our solutions for tomorrow are already available today.