Bill Gates is the world’s second-richest man and is quite partial to holidays aboard luxury yachts.
The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft usually rents yachts for holidays off the coast of Sardinia but has now decided to take the plunge and buy one of his own.
Gates has commissioned the construction of the Aqua, a 112m (370ft) ‘superyacht’ with five decks and enough space to accommodate 14 guests and a crew of 31.
However, that’s not what’s remarkable about it.
Bill Gates is very interested in sustainable technology, in part through his philanthropic work as the head of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
So as well as featuring a helipad, infinity pool, gym and spa, the Aqua will be the world’s first hydrogen-powered luxury yacht.
Created by Dutch architecture and design company Sinot, the yacht uses two 28-tonne vacuum sealed tanks containing liquid hydrogen to power the two one-megawatt motors and propellers.
On-board fuel cells combine oxygen with the hydrogen to produce the electricity.
The only byproduct from the engines is water although because hydrogen filling stations are pretty rare, the ship will have a diesel engine backup tucked away in case of an emergency.
It still boasts a range of 3,750 miles and can hit a top speed of 17-knots.
And just as an extra, the fire bowls out on deck aren’t lit with wood or coal – they use a special gel that doesn’t produce any carbon dioxide.
The Aqua isn’t expected to hit the high seas until at least 2024.
Source: Read Full Article