The Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) AG has made a historic step towards sustainable transportation. They have announced a groundbreaking five-year agreement with cleantech leader and SPIN member Synhelion. In 2027, SGV will begin powering its fleet of iconic steamboats with nearly 100 tons of solar fuel annually. This initiative marks a world-first for maritime solar fuels.
For over a century, SGV’s steamboats have been a symbol of tradition on Lake Lucerne. Originally powered by coal and later fossil heating oil, these vessels are now steering towards a sustainable future. Thanks to Synhelion’s innovative drop-in solar fuels, SGV can maintain its fleet’s historic integrity without any engine modifications. At the same time, they make significant strides in reducing their carbon footprint.
The solar fuel will be supplied by Synhelion’s first commercial plant, RISE, currently under construction in Spain. This plant is expected to produce 1,000 tons of solar fuel annually. It represents a major milestone in the scaling of solar fuel technology. Synhelion’s fuels come from concentrated sunlight. They have the potential to revolutionize the energy landscape. This impact spans multiple sectors, from aviation to marine transportation.
Sustainability Meets Tradition
SGV’s Managing Director, Stefan Schulthess, highlights the significance of this partnership: “Sustainability is a cornerstone of our philosophy. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by minimizing the use of fossil fuel. Synhelion’s renewable solar fuels offer the ideal solution to defossilize our historic steamboats. We’re excited to support this disruptive technology.”
This commitment to sustainability will be most visible with SGV’s steamboat Gallia. It will be fully powered by solar fuel. This is part of the new “Legends of Lake Lucerne” offering. It’s a bold fusion of tradition and innovation. It brings the elegance of historical vessels into the modern era of renewable energy.
Pioneering the Future of Solar Fuels
Philipp Furler is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Synhelion. He expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are proud to partner with SGV. It is a forward-thinking navigation company committed to sustainability. This agreement proves the need for renewable fuels in the maritime sector. It also highlights the huge emerging market for sustainable fuels.”
Synhelion’s journey began earlier this year. It started with the successful inauguration of DAWN, the world’s first industrial solar fuel plant in Jülich, Germany. The RISE plant in Spain will elevate this technology. It will provide renewable kerosene, diesel, and gasoline to pioneering customers such as SGV and Pilatus Aircraft.
Sailing Toward a Carbon-Neutral Future
This collaboration between SGV and Synhelion represents a significant step toward defossilizing the maritime industry. As solar fuel technology continues to scale, it promises transformative change across multiple sectors. This change demonstrates that even the most traditional forms of transportation can lead the charge toward a sustainable future.
With each drop of solar fuel powering SGV’s historic steamboats, the “Legends of Lake Lucerne” will preserve history. They will also chart a new course for sustainability.
Meet representatives from Synhelion at the Power-to-X DAYS on November 6th and 7th. Join us on November 7th to discuss scaling up renewable fuel production: https://power-to-x-days.ch.