Two groundbreaking hydrogen powered hydrofoils, Vital Spark V3 and Experiment of Leith H2, have taken centre stage at the 2025 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, showcasing innovative approaches to zero-emission maritime propulsion. Developed by Scottish consortium PlusZero with academic and industry partners, these vessels highlight the potential of hybrid hydrogen-electric systems and solid-state hydrogen storage for scalable marine applications
Vital Spark V3, a 3-point hydrofoil powered by PlusZero’s zero-emissions hydrogen internal combustion engine (HICE) along with EPTechnologies’ advanced battery system, uses Aich2 & ImaGEN Inc’s modular solid state hydrogen storage unit, ePropulsion’s zero-emission electric pod drive, and is crewed by the University of Glasgow’s UG Hydrogen Fuel Racing team. The vessel uses green hydrogen produced at Edinburgh’s Port of Leith in collaboration with Forth Ports and water re-use pioneer Waterwhelm as part of the ongoing Innovate UK-funded and UK Department of Transport-backed Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC). The groundbreaking drivetrain deployed in Vital Spark V3 is the same advanced PlusZero HICE and battery hybrid technology used in the CMDC to provide clean shore power to Forth Ports and Targe Towing’s tugboats, offering a carbon- and pollution-free alternative to diesel generators. This green hydrogen will also fuel a hydrogen-powered workboat undergoing testing by Forth Ports.
Experiment of Leith H2 – a Zippa trimaran stealth boat powered by a hydrogen fuel cell provided by TCP and ePropulsion’s electric outboard motor with solid state hydrogen stored in swappable cannisters, is crewed by students from Heriot-Watt University’s iNetZ+ research institute. This system offers higher energy density and safety compared to traditional lithium batteries, operating at low pressures (less than 1 bar) to minimise fire risks and eliminate energy losses over time. The project aims to demonstrate the practicality of hydride technology while challenging conventional hydrogen solutions, paving the way for safer, greener, and more efficient energy use in transportation.
Both vessels are examples of ergonomic boat designs by the celebrated British designer Paul Sparrow. The list of sponsors for Team Scotland’s dual team presence at Monaco is provided below.
David Amos, Founder and Managing Director of PlusZero says: “Our Team Scotland presence at Monaco shows our ability to assemble a crack team of the best specialists in the hydrogen sector, taking proven technology from our marine decarbonisation collaboration at Port of Leith, and demonstrating its potential to scale for larger vessels. Working together like this is essential to making hydrogen happen”.
Rob Mason, Group Strategy & Marketing Manager, headline sponsor Forth Ports, says: “We are impressed with the commitment and drive of the team led by PlusZero, who developed this innovative fuel technology to power the vessel. As a business we have set ourselves an ambitious net zero strategy and we are continuously exploring how alternative fuels can drive the decarbonisation for our ports business”.
Anne Sorflakne, Head of Marketing at EPTechnologies, says: “We chose to support the PlusZero-led Team Scotland because of their innovative and convincing approach, and their dedication to working with students, with them being the future of our industry. We’re excited to see our advanced battery system trialled here. Our involvement reflects our commitment to advancing hydrogen solutions and driving sustainable change in the maritime sector”.
Eric Brown, CEO and Co-Founder, Aich2, says: “Alongside our technology partner, ImaGEN Inc, we aim to demonstrate that our Modular Hydrogen Storage and Production units, which use solid hydrogen feedstocks, can substitute for a tank of compressed gas and produce hydrogen onboard the vessel as part of the propulsion system. We aim to prove superior performance, ease of use, and safety compared to gaseous/liquid hydrogen alternatives. Our collaboration with PlusZero evidences our commitment to collaboration and impact in Scotland”.
Jim Irvine, Operations and Development Director, TCP, says: “The hydrogen industry in the UK is growing and is still very much inter-dependent, and we need to support these initiatives like Team Scotland’s venture led by PlusZero. We want to bring our expertise and hardware to the market and demonstrate the market-ready value of our fuel cell hardware in the hydrogen chain”.
Lyndsay McClay, Marketing Manager, ePropulsion, says: “We are proud to support the PlusZero-led Teams because we see this as a unique opportunity to drive forward clean marine innovation through real-world trials. Scotland’s forward-leaning approach to the hydrogen economy – and the emphasis on collaboration seen in projects like PlusZero’s – aligns perfectly with our vision. We see hydrogen as a natural partner to electric in building a robust, zero-emissions maritime sector, and we’re keen to support its development through demonstration, dialogue, and integration”.
Jonathan Richards, Head of Brand Strategy, The Scotcoin Project, says: “PlusZero is an initiative that fuses innovation and envelope-pushing technology on a global stage. Scotcoin has an ongoing agenda to support big picture projects in hydrogen. We are open to all sort of collaborations and relationships. Because crypto itself is a cutting-edge technology, it makes sense to work in sectors and with organisations in similar territory”.
Team Scotland Sponsors:
- Forth Ports – Headline Sponsor
- EPTechnologies
- e-Propulsion
- TCP – Taylor Construction Plant
- Aich2/imaGen
- Sungreen H2
- ScotCoin
- ARC – Abbott Risk Consulting
