Since its launch in 2014 by the Yacht Club de Monaco, this solar-powered boat event continues to develop and this year for the first time is open to all clean energy sources.
This competition is unique in the world, giving young engineers an opportunity to reinvent boating to meet future energy and environmental imperatives. Already, 30 teams have confirmed their attendance, an increase of 25% over last year.
“It is part of the Principality’s commitment to the environment led by our President HSH Prince Albert II. If we want to position Monaco as Capital of Yachting, we need to play a part in these technologies,” says YCM General Secretary, Bernard d’Alessandri.
Bertrand Piccard, the man behind Solar Impulse, the first fuel-less zero-emissions plane with limitless autonomy in which he flew round the world, agreed to sponsor this fifth edition. “I’m delighted to see what can be achieved with clean energy sources. These boats can compete in races full of suspense and all without any noise or pollution. It really is something that needs to be encouraged.”
With speeds up to 20 knots, solar boats in the Solar Energy class take centre stage for a fleet race and timed one-on-one slalom races in Monaco for three days. Dutchman Gerhard van der Schaar on Clafis Victron Energy Solar Boat Team has in the past dominated these events and returns to Monaco to defend his title.
Propulsion systems: each to their own solution
For the first time, the YCM is launching a brand new concept with the Energy Class. Engineering students and industrialists have all been given a one-design catamaran hull (all identical). Their mission has been to build a cockpit and design the most powerful and durable propulsion system from a given amount of energy. Be it Bio Fuel, battery, hydrogen, compressed air, LNG or anything else, the choice is wide, but it must be a clean source.
Find new more sustainable solutions and apply them to boats is the challenge that is inspiring a new generation like Simon Bernard, 27, co-founder of Plastic Odyssey, a 25m catamaran powered by plastic waste. It is a concept that became obvious faced with the urgency of the situation, one where “every minute plastic waste the equivalent of the weight of three elephants is dumped into the oceans. Plastic Odyssey is a round the world expedition on a laboratory boat, totally autonomous thanks to plastic, the waste we collect at each port of call being recycled on board. The goal of this project is not to clean-up the oceans, already widely polluted by plastic. Indeed, once it is in the sea, it’s too late: only 1% of plastic waste floats to the surface. The remaining 99% breaks-down into micro-particles and carpets the seabed. The goal is to demonstrate that it is too valuable to end up in the ocean.” Plastic Odyssey will also be here in Monaco for the Solar & Energy Boat Challenge in the Energy Class category.
Offshore class heads to Italy
Another edition, another destination for the offshore race, which this year heads to Ventimiglia in Italy. Boats must comply with YCM Offshore Class rules, which means being able to take three people and comply with technical specifications defined with the UIM. Five teams are all set to do this 16 nautical mile race (there and back). “The aim is to highlight the enormous potential of our young engineers supported by the shipyards. We have a common goal, which is to work together to build the leisure boats of tomorrow,” explains Marco Casiraghi, himself an engineer and the man behind the project. The two harbours are set to be interconnected soon. Meanwhile this race serves as a big test for boats, close to commercialization, with an eco-responsible propulsion on the sea.
Revolutionary oceanic drone
To discover in display in the YCM Marina, Sphyrna, the largest civilian surface drone in the world (17m), with an electric motor powered by solar, wind and tidal energy. It is here on a mission this summer to help assess noise disturbance on cetaceans in the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Open Source: sharing and exchanging ideas to build the future for yachting
It is just over a century since the first powerboat meetings were held in Monaco, attracting the world’s industrialists to see the latest innovations in internal combustion engine technology. Today, the Principality continues a long tradition as a laboratory for progress, focused today on clean energy sources. For the 5th edition, all participants are invited to exchange ideas at daily Tech Talks (see programme) in the format of round tables and present their ideas on Open Source.
After its success last year, UIM (International Powerboating Federation) is to hold its international workshop again, focused on the environment and watersports. Speakers include representatives from authorities and international sports federations.
The Solar & Energy Boat Challenge Village is soon to open its doors, with a host of activities going on in the paddocks where the public are welcome to get as close to the action as it is possible to be.
