Porrima gets a makeover!
Pioneering ZERO emission ship,
Porrima is paving the way for an entire generation.
A ship that has already made history
1st to circumnavigate the globe
without fossil fuels!
It’s a fleet that’s preparing
a major turning point in the maritime industry.
Porrima
En route to the blue odyssey
The vessel, now called Porrima, was launched in 2010 under the name PlanetSolar. This boat is covered with solar technologies on its deck and is constantly evolving. The aim of PlanetSolar was to demonstrate that this renewable energy could be used to sail the oceans. And all in total autonomy. It’s a goal that has now been successfully achieved!
Then, alongside the “Race for Water“foundation, the boat turned its attention to raising awareness. Taking care of the oceans, measuring the quantity of plastic and its impact on ecosystems. To improve energy storage, the ship was fitted with new equipment such as the Skysails, a technology to aid propulsion by wind power, as well as hydrogen production directly at sea. At the time, this was a prototype boat. With seawater and solar radiation as fuels, up to 10% of the energy required to run the vessel is supplied by the wind.
PlanetSolar is now entering a new phase of its life under the name Porrima. The boat is about to undergo another facelift, equipped with cutting-edge innovations. This boat is a perfect example of the blue economy philosophy, which is synonymous with hope and wisdom. Indeed, cherishing life and looking to the future also means learning, understanding and being responsible. That’s why it now bears the name Porrima. A goddess of vision and protector of pregnant women in Roman mythology.
Plastic findings
Emergency figures
Today, the average child is born with 15 times more microplastics in his or her body than a 50-year-old adult. The new findings prove that microplastics cross the placental barrier and disrupt the development of newborn babies.
In our current environment, an adult ingests an average of 2,000 micro-particles of plastic per week. That’s the equivalent of a credit card, or 5 grams. Over a year, that’s more than 250 grams…
A seventh continent has emerged, that of plastic. Its impact is clear: all these plastics degrade over time to become almost invisible and, as a result, even more invasive.
Microplastics are silently penetrating our bodies.
The problem is invisible, but no less present: harmful and sometimes toxic additives are released into our oceans before spreading everywhere.
Our philosophy is to focus all our energy on concrete solutions whose action can be measured.
History of the logo
The third paradise
MS Porrima technologies
Inspired by nature
Sound filtering
How can you listen to all the sounds in the water, isolate a fish’s heartbeat and determine its size and location, just like sharks do? Porrima will embark a new system developed by Dr. Jorge Reynolds, a leading scientist and whale-watcher for 50 years. Using thousands of headphones, he organized the live concerts of whale songs from the Pacific which were broadcast at the Hanover World Fair in 2000.
Seaweed curtains
How do algae capture CO2, create a safe haven for juvenile fish and absorb microplastics to produce gas and fertilizer? Here again, we can take inspiration from this technology to improve our environment.
We’re delivering proof that curtains of algae are recycling barriers for micro-plastics. Small pieces of plastic between 0.2 cm and 300 microns are absorbed by marine plants, and thanks to their fermentation (when they compost underwater), the micro-plastics are released and destroyed.
Underwater forecasts
How can meteorological predictions at sea be made using methods other than conventional measurement tools? By using the techniques of BIOceanOr, a start-up created by Charlotte and Samuel Dupont, who have developed a connected underwater weather station. BIOceanOr can analyze water quality in real time and by prediction, usingsubmerged tools that continuously observe fifteen parameters in the ocean.
Wind as an engine
Millennia-old toys at the service of clean energy
Porrima is equipped with the latest Skysails technology, which enables the boat to move forward thanks to wind traction. Skysails technology is a cable-connected kite that uses the force of the wind, coupled with a yo-yo system. The kite creates energy through the back-and-forth motion of the sail.
This provides physical traction (via a conventional sail) while also generating energy.
At the same time, when the kite is running, the propellers are reversed, generating electricity for a double energy production.
Porrima’s current model only allows the kite to cover about ten degrees of angle. Forthcoming modifications will enable it to cover 180° of angle, thanks to the installation of self-extracting daggers (spikes).
Origami
Inspired by the Japanese techniques of Origami or the famous Swiss Army Knife, Porrima’s interior is optimized to provide the greatest number of tools, space and technologies in the smallest possible area. All the furniture is multifunctional, and the VIP lounge is designed to produce spirulina, Kombucha and mushrooms.
3D vision systems
Porrima will be the first platform for 3D underwater image production. The technology used is inspired by the way our eyes work when photons are activated in front of a screen. These are the first 3D vision systems developed by Shawn Frayne’s team at Looking Glass Factory.
The boat will be the first full 3D image sensor to create next-generation visual programs. This allows life to be presented as it is, in 3D.
New energies
How can seawater, sun and wind be used to produce drinking water and electricity, inspired by ecosystems? Porrima incorporates an onboard hydrogen system. The vessel also generates energy using a Skysails kite, which combines three of history’s great innovations: the kite, the yoyo and the cuckoo clock.
The last of these modulates the force of the wind to a stable energy level.
Communicating through light
Adapting Li-Fi technology for underwater communication
LIFI
Communication between divers has always been complex. Sign language has long been the only solution for exchanging basic information underwater. What’s more, to this day, underwater communication is not always possible, due to the lack of visibility.
Here again, innovation can make all the difference. Prof. Suat Topsu and his teams have developed a mint-green LED for optimal light penetration in water. The LiFi diving mask uses the light from this LED to transmit the voice of one diver to another. It is thus possible to talk to the diver with whom eye contact has been established.
This fluid, intuitive mode of interaction requires no manual action. It also facilitates exchanges between divers and crew.
As with sign language, the maximum communication distance is currently around 2.5 to 3.5 m, depending on water clarity.
Porrima on the waves
On the road to a new look
After ten years of sailing, Porrima is ready for a one-year technical stopover to keep up with the latest technology. This stopover is to be refurbished and equipped with new technologies designed for her expeditions.
Porrima returns to port with a wealth of experience behind her, both in solar power with her panels and in sailing with her Skysails. With technology having progressed so much over the last ten years, we can now do even more and adapt her equipment to the latest developments.
As far as Skysails technology is concerned, the kite can currently only be used at an angle of 30°. Once the modifications have been made, it will be possible to use it at 180°, thus increasing its efficiency and energy generation.
A thruster reversal system will also be installed for use when the boat is being pulled by the wind. This system will also enable the thrusters to generate energy and transform it into hydrogen.
Finally, the engineers will install a retractable panel that will make it easier to track the kite’s position.
To support the weight of the additional technologies, Porrima’s floats will be extended by three meters.
The Porrima team hopes that these new implementations can also be shared with new generations. We want to bring these technologies to the general public.
We want to inspire entrepreneurs of the common good.
To this end, Porrima will be taking part in a number of international gatherings to discuss issues relating to oceans, plastics, technologies and much more. A perfect opportunity to meet the public, dreamers, children, entrepreneurs and researchers!
Porrima’s aim is to inspire the world with “proof through action”. It’s a concrete demonstration of a technological revolution, to prove its effectiveness and relevance to the general public.
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A collaboration
A project driven by numbers
Message from the Chairman
Gunter Pauli
We believe that a new generation of entrepreneurs can and will play a key role in changing society. Science and technology inspired by nature will inspire this new class of engineers.
Today, Porrima’s teams are focused solely on inventions and innovations that will serve the common good. As an experimental vessel, the MS Porrima is a highly effective tool that we will be able to use for decades to come to serve the entrepreneurial spirit. The shape and allure of this 36-meter catamaran, which embraces numerous innovations as if they were a community – and which has already circumnavigated the globe three times – have a unique appeal.
This experimental vessel embodies many of our favorite technologies. However, this vessel is more than a demonstration of renewable energies ranging from solar power (540 square meters) to artificial intelligence kites (capturing permanent wind up to 800 meters) to hydrogen made from seawater. It’s a change-maker. These technologies are designed and constantly improved by a network of scientists who have been working together since 1994. They are committed to a zero-emissions philosophy, a pragmatic approach to today’s environmental issues, and the realization of innovative projects known as the Blue Economy.
Porrima Board members
Gunter
Pauli
Gunter is founder of the Porrima Foundation, lecturer and author of the book l’Economie bleue, translated into several languages. He works to develop this new philosophy inspired by nature. Gunter Pauli works to provide pragmatic solutions to today’s challenges. He is also involved in education, writing fables to inspire future generations to think with and through nature.
Laurent
Mayor
Davor
Pavuna
Davor is one of the leading scientists in post quantum physics proposals. He is a great promoter of the work of Nikola Tesla, whose worldwide foundation he manages from Switzerland. This same foundation develops initiatives stemming from the great scientist and inventor in his hometown.
Eric
Sarasin
After a long international career in the banking sector, Eric decided to put his skills and resources at the service of projects with a high environmental impact.
Adriana
Marais
Adriana is active at a high level in a number of fields: recognized athlete, doctor of quantum physics, candidate for the Mars missions. She runs the ProudlyHumans foundation, with which she prepares teams for the journey to Mars.
An international initiative
The Porrima ship and Blue Innovations project is a Swiss initiative supported by a number of countries.
The experiences gained and the technologies implemented during his odyssey around the world will be reported and promoted in Japan by NHK. NHK is Japan’s national radio and television station, broadcasting in Japanese, Chinese and English.
