Extreme E
Extreme E has partnered with Enowa, the energy, water and hydrogen subsidiary of Neom, the Saudi Arabian smart city, to introduce green hydrogen power to its global sustainable racing series.
Enowa is the engine room for sustainable energy, water and hydrogen at Neom. Green hydrogen is widely seen as the most promising green energy carrier for the future to fight climate change. This technology supports the transportation of renewable energy over long distances, as well as the decarbonisation of major industries and infrastructure.
Extreme E and Enowa's partnership is aiming to implement innovative, green hydrogen-based technologies to not only power the championship towards a 100 per cent “leave no trace” ambition, but also to showcase the opportunities around this technology.
Enowa will play an active part on the scientific advisory board of Extreme E and, together, develop educational programmes intended to excite young generations about climate positive solutions.
“We are delighted to have Enowa onboard as our official green hydrogen power partner,” said Alejandro Agag, founder and chief executive of Extreme E. “We have collaborated with Neom for some time, particularly in delivering a hugely successful first Desert X Prix of season two; this partnership with ENOWA marks a further step in our mission for a more sustainable future.
“The work undertaken by Enowa is extremely ambitious and an exciting prospect. Neom, much like ourselves, pushes the boundaries of environmental sustainability and we are delighted to be partnering with Enowa to go even further in our objective to raise awareness of the climate crisis.
“Enowa plans to lead the development of world-class, sustainable energy, water and hydrogen systems which I am sure will become a reference point in the future, and our series will also benefit from this greater focus on technology and innovation.”
Peter Terium, chief executive of Enowa, added: “Business decisions in Neom have sustainability at their core which is why we are delighted to partner with Extreme E. Our partnership is aimed towards both creating visibility to the most urgent problems the planet is facing but at the same time demonstrating solutions that deliver meaningful impact.
“Together we can accelerate innovations in clean technologies powered by green hydrogen, contributing to hydrogen mobility markets and the future of global decarbonisation.”
Neom is the first smart city to produce green hydrogen at scale, paving the way for the hydrogen economy globally. Due to the abundance of solar, wind and water resources in Neom, Enowa and its partners will provide large quantities of green hydrogen that many industries can use.
Enowa benefits from Neom's greenfield site, which has no legacy infrastructure, to advance energy, water, and hydrogen innovation while providing sustainable fuels like green hydrogen to international users. It shares an ethos with Extreme E in its demands for a greater sustainability focus.
At the beginning of this season, Extreme E revealed its plans to launch an off-road hydrogen championship in 2024. Named Extreme H, the championship will sit alongside Extreme E, its existing electric racing series, and will be a world-first for motorsport – further reiterating the commitment to showcasing the possibilities of new, sustainable technologies in the race to fight climate issues.
Development for the Extreme H vehicle is already underway, with the aim being the launch of a prototype in early 2023.