Novotel Athens GM Tours ‘Energy Observer’ Hydrogen Vessel in Flisvos, Athens

Novotel Athens General Manager Evripidis Tzikas with the Energy Observer crew, company executives and media representatives.

The General Manager of Novotel Athens, Evripidis Tzikas, along with company executives, associates and media representatives, were given a tour of the Energy Observer, the world’s first vessel powered by hydrogen and renewables, which arrived at the Flisvos marina in Athens this week.

The vessel currently tours the Mediterranean. Its voyage started in 2017 from France, aiming to reach 101 ports in 50 countries within six years, in order to raise awareness on the major themes of ecological transition including renewable energies, biodiversity, mobility and the circular economy.

Onboard the Energy Observer.

Novotel Athens is a member of AccorInvest and AccorHotels, one of the main partners of Energy Observer, supporting its ambitious expedition. During their visit the hotel’s executives were informed by the vessel’s research team on its mission, operation and future goals.

The vessel produces its own hydrogen from seawater, without greenhouse gas and particles emissions thanks to a mix of renewable energies: Solar, wind and hydraulic. It is also operating as a floating laboratory aiming to put the innovative technology to the test.

“AccorHotels is more than a supporter of this research program. It is an explorer in this Odyssey towards the future,” Tzikas said.

“By having access to new technologies, the group is able to study, test and apply them in its hotel units, thus limit its energy footprint during the designing process, construction and operation. This project brings the group closer to its target to become a pioneer in the energy transition,” he added.

The Energy Observer. Photo: GTP

AccorHotels has been committed to sustainable development for many years, with initiatives such as the Planet 21 program, which demonstrates the group’s ambitious goals for 2020.

Novotel Athens

It is based around four strategic priorities: Work with its employees; involve its customers; innovate with its partners and work with local communities.

The Enegy Observer will set sail on June 23, towards Albania. After touring the Mediterranean this year, it will travel to Northern Europe in 2019 and Asia in 2020.