ABB has entered into a technology partnership with Ferrari Hypersail, an innovative 100-foot oceanic full-foiling monohull yacht powered entirely by renewable energy systems. As Electrification Partner, ABB will contribute its expertise in marine power, Direct Current (DC) technology and advanced electrical systems to support the development of the vessel’s high-performance energy architecture.
Ferrari Hypersail is being developed to push the boundaries of sustainable marine performance by combining speed, resilience and safety with onboard renewable energy generation and intelligent power management. Designed to operate for weeks without external energy supplies, the yacht must generate, store and distribute energy reliably while navigating some of the most demanding conditions encountered at sea.
ABB brings more than 25 years of experience in DC technology to the partnership, supported by a portfolio of more than 700 patents in the field. Its expertise will cover energy management, marine electrical systems, energy storage, DC system integration and intelligent power distribution.
The Ferrari Hypersail electrical architecture will operate as a high-performance, self-sufficient microgrid, with systems running at 48V and 800 VDC. The onboard system will generate, store and manage renewable power for critical functions including navigation, foil controls, safety systems and propulsion. It is designed to operate despite extreme cold, salt spray, pressure and continuous motion.
Giampiero Frisio, President of ABB’s Electrification business area, said, “Ferrari Hypersail gives ABB a unique platform to demonstrate how we are collaborating with partners to push the limits of Direct Current technology. Ferrari Hypersail is designed to operate in conditions that are as demanding as anything our systems face in industry. ABB’s role showcases how electrification and automation technologies help industries outrun and achieve record-breaking performance. The lessons from a challenge like this can help us advance the resilient, efficient power systems our customers need across sectors from marine and renewables to data centers and industrial microgrids.”
For Ferrari Hypersail, ABB’s expertise is intended to strengthen the vessel’s ability to manage renewable generation, energy storage and power distribution in real time. Enrico Voltolini, Project Leader of Ferrari Hypersail, said, “Hypersail runs entirely on renewable energy. It has to be self-sufficient for weeks at a time in the most hostile ocean environments on earth. Having ABB’s electrification expertise connected to the project is a valuable operational advantage.”
The partnership will provide ABB with an opportunity to test advanced electrification and DC architectures in an extreme offshore environment. Insights generated through the project could support the development of resilient and efficient power systems for applications beyond marine environments, including renewable energy infrastructure, data centres and industrial microgrids.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, supporting industries in building a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. Combining engineering expertise with digital technologies, ABB enables customers to improve performance, efficiency, productivity and sustainability through its “Engineered to Outrun” approach. With more than 140 years of history and approximately 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB delivers electrification solutions across power generation, transmission, distribution and consumption. ABB shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
