Thursday, April 18, 2024
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is introducing a new award to recognize innovative university projects. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a key partner of the challenge, is launching the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award. This global contest, open to universities worldwide, will honor the best technological solutions for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint in yachting. Olivier Wenden, Vice-President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, expresses enthusiasm for supporting the winning university with a grant of 25,000 euros to further develop their department and potentially advance their prototypes towards industrial solutions. Following the grant, the recipient will showcase progress at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge for three consecutive years starting in 2025. The announcement of this prize took place during Monaco Ocean Week, attended by renowned explorers Mike Horn and Bertrand Piccard.
Aligned with Monaco’s commitment to advanced yachting and organized by YCM, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge serves as a platform for collaboration between maritime industry leaders and innovative engineers, aiming to promote sustainable practices and alternative propulsion in yachting. The event features a mix of existing market-ready vessels and cutting-edge prototypes. Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of YCM, commends the exceptional creativity and potential displayed by participating students, underscoring the valuable connections made with industry stakeholders.
Fifteen teams from thirteen nations have confirmed their participation in the Solar Class, a category integral to the challenge since its inception in 2014. Meanwhile, the Energy Class boasts representation from twenty prestigious universities, including institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the Politecnico di Milano, and the Technical University of Berlin, representing fourteen nations worldwide. These teams will have the opportunity to engage with renowned shipyards like Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, and Sanlorenzo.
Hydrogen emerges as a key player in the transition towards cleaner, sustainable energy sources, with several teams opting for hydrogen-based solutions. In the Energy Class, nearly half of the projects (ten out of twenty-one) leverage hybrid technologies incorporating hydrogen, while the remaining projects focus on 100% energy storage in Lithium-Ion batteries. Notably, the Monaco Hydrogen Working Group, co-launched by the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation during the 2019 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, continues to drive progress, with the Monaco Energy Transition serving as a co-organizer for the past three years.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
