The 6th edition of the Monaco Solar § Energy Boat Challenge will take place from July 2nd to 6th in the Principality. The Monaco Yacht Club has unveiled what can be expected at this major Clean Yachting event.
Objective: to promote and optimize clean energy marine propulsion systems. Launched in 2014, the Monaco Solar § Energy Boat Challenge has become “the” meeting point for new powertrain technologies. Open to the public and supported by Credit Suisse and SBM Offshore, this event is unique in the world. It brings together young engineers and industrialists to imagine the propulsion systems for tomorrow’s yachts. The concept is to promote yachting that is essentially ecological and respectful of the environment.
Banning all fossil energy
Organized jointly by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Hydros Foundation and the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the event will take place this year from July 2nd to 6th, 2019. And we know a little more about this 6th edition. The Yacht Club of Monaco also unveiled its main objectives at the end of the Monaco Ocean Week, which just came to a close.
In line with the Principality’s dear commitment, the challenge being presented to the industry’s competitors is significant. Ban all fossil energy to get as close as possible to “zero emissions” yachting. The Yacht Club is also setting an example by signing a partnership with Torqeedo this year. All their boats are now equipped with 100% electric propulsion systems.
Tech talks and clean conferences
Forty international teams will present their naval engineering creations. Like last year, knowledge sharing and networking will be encouraged with Open Source Tech Talks and lectures given by major industry players. Two mornings will be dedicated to these activities. The theme for Thursday, July 4th will be “Environmental Challenges and Opportunities in the Marine Environment.” The 5th of July will be dedicated to “Sustainable development and energy efficiency in Yachting.” “The Innovation Award,” “Best Tech Talk” and the “Zero Emission Award” will be handed out by a jury of specialists and will reward the best presentations.
Sporting events
The sporting aspect, which is the soul of yachting technology, will not be overlooked. Trials will open performance to three boat categories: Solar, Offshore, and Energy Class. Races in the bay of Monaco will allow all fans to admire these yachting gems for a week as a banner of the Principality’s clean energy mission.
Twenty competitors will compete in the historic Solar Class category. All equipped with the most innovative technologies, these boats are truly the equivalent of Formula 1 on the seas, reaching up to 20 knots without making a noise!
Two offshore races will also be run between Monaco and Ventimille. They will feature boats equipped with the newest generation of electric tenders recently developed by the yachting industry. This technology allows them to travel up to 36 nautical miles (67 km) without burning any fossil fuel!
Hydrogen is in fashion
Lastly, created by the Yacht Club of Monaco in 2018, the Energy Class enlists monotype catamarans powered by electric or hydrogen engines. The aim is to compare the most efficient and enduring clean energy-based propulsion systems. Hydrogen seems to be popular this year because out of the 8 boats registered so far, 3 wish to further develop energy autonomy, without greenhouse gases or fine particle emissions.
From July 2nd to 6th, the Principality will once again be under the spotlight for its commitment to a clean planet. The event is an exciting show for a growing craze, which has exploded in the last few years, especially internationally. For this 2019 edition, an Indonesian team, Hydros Team Universitas Indonesia, has entered the Energy Class. Others will come as observers for future participation in the 2020 edition. It is a sign of the new generation’s excitement for imagining and building the environmentally responsible powerboats of tomorrow.
*Article originally published on the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.