When it comes to keeping the lights on and the champagne chilled, superyacht generators work hard behind the scenes. But with sustainability and comfort at the forefront of the industry’s concerns, the next generation of generators needs to be quieter, cleaner and more efficient. With family-run marine engine manufacturer Nanni Industries producing ultra-quiet generators and methanol-powered solutions, BOAT sat down with its head of spare parts and marketing director, Michele Insom, to learn more about its latest innovations.
With a legacy spanning 73 years, Nanni has a long history based on manufacturing marine propulsion engines and generators. It first made its mark in the pleasure, naval and commercial sectors before venturing into the superyacht industry four years ago with a new line of generators. "Coming from the naval and commercial side, we gained extensive know-how on engines and generators before bringing our expertise to the yacht and superyacht sector," says Insom. This technical foundation, combined with a team of industry veterans and a global service network with capabilities in the leisure market, has led to rapid success.
At the Cannes Yachting Festival, Nanni Industries introduced its genset range for superyachts up to 50 metres, securing partnerships with leading shipyards like Benetti, Sanlorenzo and The Italian Sea Group. The Nanni generator range for the yachting market starts at 5 kW and goes up to 125 kW, and comes with a sunshield cabin. Today, the company has an impressive global presence, covering 90 countries with 60 national distributors and 800 sales and service dealers, and its headquarters in Italy and France means Nanni is strategically positioned near major shipyards.
‘Soundless’ power
One of the standout innovations from Nanni Industries is its ‘Soundless’ technology, a feature that reduces its generators' noise levels by 10 dB. First tested against a major competitor’s generator on a Sanlorenzo 72 yacht during its refit, the results were impressive, with the captain praising the significant reduction in onboard noise.
So, how does it work? "A generator is essentially an engine with an alternator instead of a propeller," Insom explains. "The primary sources of noise are airflow dynamics and vibrations within the housing. Nanni tackled this by redesigning the air intake and exhaust systems for smoother airflow while replacing traditional foam insulation with a cutting-edge, solid sound-absorbing material." The result is a whisper-quiet power that makes cruising more comfortable for owners and guests on board.
"Superyachts are getting bigger, and so are their power demands," Insom continues. "From TVs to kitchen appliances, onboard electricity consumption has nearly doubled over the past few years. Our generators are running more than ever, so reducing noise is critical."
Leading the charge in clean marine energy
Nanni is also pioneering cleaner energy solutions. As part of a joint venture with Sanlorenzo and MAN Engines, Nanni has developed a methanol-powered generator under the Life Mystic project, cutting emissions by 70 per cent.
The technology will be implemented on the third unit of Sanlorenzo’s 50X-Space series, scheduled for delivery in 2027. "The biggest challenge was adapting a combustion engine to an entirely new injection system," says Insom. "But thanks to existing knowledge of methanol applications in commercial shipping, we were able to create a solution that transitions easily between methanol and diesel."
Methanol propulsion has already been explored in high-speed two-stroke engines for large commercial vessels, but its application in low-speed four-stroke engines remains unstudied in the superyacht industry. Sanlorenzo’s Life Mystic project, backed by the European Union, seeks to bridge this gap. The initiative features two MAN high-speed four-stroke diesel engines, developed in collaboration with MAN Engines, alongside two Nanni four-stroke diesel generators upgraded for dual-fuel operation. This configuration enables Nanni engines to easily switch between methanol and diesel. Unlike conventional diesel-only engines, this dual-fuel system enhances energy efficiency while maintaining performance – a crucial factor in gaining industry-wide adoption.
To find out more about how to install silent, methanol-powered generators on board, contact the team at Nanni Industries.
Sponsored content created for Nanni Industries