The fuel-cell powered drive system for boats, which has been named "CoolCell" by MTU, is used to propel the yacht in still conditions and when manoeuvring in harbour. The system also supplies the electricity required for powering the yacht´s lights, running the monitoring systems, operating the pumps and hoisting the sails. As it produces zero emissions and runs in almost complete silence, the drive unit sets exemplary standards in terms of eco-friendliness. This is a particularly important consideration on Lake Constance, Europe´s largest reserve of drinking water.

The standard fuel-cell stacks fitted aboard "No.1" were manufactured by Ballard Power Systems, which also supplies the stacks for the first ever near-production-standard Mercedes-Benz A-Class "F-Cell" cars. The engineers at MTU were responsible for the development of the entire accompanying propulsion system. IPF, a heating and power station constructor based in the town of Reilingen in the north of Baden which owns the yacht, had the system installed in the standard hull of a First 40.7 yacht built by the Bénéteau shipyard in France.

MTU Friedrichshafen views the "No. 1" project as representing the next logical step in the development of groundbreaking propulsion and power generation systems. MTU is also the world´s only manufacturer of diesel engines to be working on the development of the "HotModule" fuel-cell power generation plants which are expected to be ready for full-scale production by 2006.