Quays will be buzzing in Monaco for a week this July as more than 700 students from more than 40 universities contribute to support 21 crews and 50 boats for the 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge tests alternative propulsion methods using clean energy

The international zero-emission on-water event organised by the Monaco Yacht Club, in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, will take place from July 1-6, 2024 with a chief aim to showcase the efficiency of alternative propulsion and hull design innovations across three classes: Energy, Solar and Open Sea.

40 international universities will attend this year’s challenge in Monaco

Electric boats already on the market will be featured at the event, which is open to the public, alongside prototypes and vessels due to launch. The challenge draws key industry players keen to advance the future of engineering by way of more sustainable alternative propulsion systems.

Teams have been selected from 21 renowned universities for the 2024 edition, including the University of Cambridge, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the Politecnico di Milano and the Technical University of Berlin, with 14 nations represented, including China.

Speed trials and endurance tests are on the event line-up

They are challenged to use new technology, innovative materials, and alternative propulsion systems that reduce environmental impact all while maintaining nautical performance. Vessels are tested for manoeuvrability, endurance, sea trials, speed record and enter the YCM E-Boat Rally, where 15 commercially available electric boats will be on the start for this eight to 10 nautical mile course including El-Iseo, the first 100 per cent electric Riva designed by the Ferretti Group.

Boats use earth-friendly solar panels and hydrogen-based tech without sacrificing performance

Hydrogen appears to be a favoured choice among the participating teams, with hybrid hydrogen-based technologies fueling 10 projects, and 11 running on fully Lithium-Ion batteries.

Eighteen teams will compete in the energy class, putting on show some intriguing new innovations. From Institut Polytechnique de Paris (ENSTA) comes a three-engine project inspired by differential propulsion, while Britain’s Cambridge University Riviera Racing will showcase their hydrogen-powered foiling catamaran. This year’s competition is the first time foils have been permitted to be added.

Spain’s Universidade de Vigo will debut a unique hull design in the solar class with lines similar to a catamaran that should allow the boat to reach impressive speeds.

Sialia Yachts’ Deep Silence, one of the largest full-electric propulsion boats available on the market, will appear in the Open Seas category for boats already in the market, or about to launch, alongside hydrogen-powered boats, Madblue Marine P-01 and Inocel-Poséidon, which will be supplied with hydrogen on July 5 by Natpower.

A new electric, high-performance day boat, the Tridente, developed in collaboration with marine technology company Vita, who are long-term supporters of the event, will no doubt cause a splash.

Green energy boats take the waves in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

The Monaco Yacht Club aims to be a major player in promoting sustainability in the yachting sector, and its Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has become a flagship event. Alongside races and on-water displays is scheduled a series called Tech Talks, to further the discussion on environmentally-aware boating.

The event is also an opportunity for the challenge’s young competitors to connect with industry leaders. They are invited to take part in a Job Forum that offers work placements and mentorship and last year resulted in over 80 interviews.

This year, contestants are eligible for a new award. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award will award the competition’s best energy-efficient or carbon-reducing solution with a grant of  €25,000 to further research and prototype development.

energyboatchallenge.com