ENERGY FEEL THE

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge celebrated its tenth anniversary in July, and EV Powered had a front row seat to all the action.

What is it?

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, which took place from the 5th – 8th July, brings the industry players together with engineering students to progress alternative propulsion. Hosted by the iconic Yacht Club de Monaco, the event provides a platform and competition to help build a responsible future for the planet, the oceans and future generations.

The four-day programme consists of a series of tech talks, demonstrations and industry pitches, as well as a series of competitions in a number of disciplines. 25 nations, 31 universities and some 50 teams in total, with nearly 500 international students, competed on the sea in a range of contests. The event drew in its biggest crowd yet, with spectators able to view the grand Parade, sea trials, speed records (for all three classes: Solar, Energy and Open Sea), a fleet race, a 16 nautical mile race around marks or following the Monaco-Ventimiglia-Monaco route, endurance, manoeuvrability and slalom contests.

Solar power

The third day of racing at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge was all about endurance. A three nautical mile course set out in Monaco’s bay was the perfect opportunity for the 40+ teams from 25 nations to see how many laps their boat could achieve in a set time. A treat for the public who crowded onto the stand set up on Quai Luciana.

Wind chop and sunshine set the scene for the Endurance Trial put on for all three classes. In the Solar and Energy classes, the winners left no room for outsiders. Once again the Netherlands looked set to dominate the top spots in the Solar Class, a trend that has held since the start of the competition. Indeed, the Dutch from Sunflare Solarteam came first by completing the highest number of laps (22) in two hours, ahead of Han Solarboat then Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein.

In the Energy Class, where contestants have to design a cockpit and efficient durable propulsion system using renewable energies, based on a given quantity of energy, the Italians on UniBoat won with 27 laps in a contest that went down to the wire. They beat another Italian team UniGe Elettra into second, followed by the Croats’ Adria Energy Class Boat.

In the Open Sea Class certified boat category, the Netherlands clinched another cup with the first place of Vamp Marine, followed by a British pair, Vita-Seadog and Vita-Seal. In the non-certified group, TU Delft Hydro Motion Team out-paced the Italians on Ferretti Group.