Solar Impulse also for the boats. In Monaco the gathering of … – The Republic

There is not only the Solar Impulse, the plane that made the rounds of the world’s only solar energy. Even the boats sail thanks to the warmth of the sun and can run even faster. It opened in Monaco The Monaco Solar Boat Challenge, organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with the UIM (Union International Powerboating). This is the first and unique in the world competition for solar-powered boats able to sail in the open sea. The comparison boats these days in Montecarlo have been designed by teams of engineering students from international universities. And they themselves timonarle. Regatta offshore similar to those of traditional motor boating, but the hulls which run do not consume a drop of fuel.

This year, the Yacht Club de Monaco is home to 15 teams from Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Monaco and the Netherlands in particular. From this country are among others the Clafis Victron Energy Solar Boat Team and TU Delft Solar Team, which are respectively World Champion in 2016 and runner-up in the World Cup. Here we compare all the latest news from the world of clean propulsion at sea.

In the first day of the Monaco Solar Boat Challenge the pier in front of the Yacht Club teeming with young engineers, committed to tinker on their boats in the first races views starting Friday, 15. All are ready to compete on their prototype, meanwhile, along the quayside of Quai Louis II, draw attention from passers-by and visitors, who can also enjoy culinary specialties prepared in solar ovens.

With this appointment the Yacht Club de Monaco wants to promote solar energy to the general public and encourage a new generation of engineers that the boats can design and build tomorrow. In the Principality, please note that just over a century ago, other pioneers came to Monaco to present their latest technological developments in combustion engines for motor boats. Today that tradition continues.

The solar boat in action in Monaco are able to develop speed of over 20 knots (a little less than 40 kilometers per hour ) thanks to the technology that harnesses the sun’s energy and use of foil, aerodynamic fins on the hulls. In 2015, the power of these prototypes launched the first International YCM Speed ​​Record, which was conquered by Clafis Private Solar Energy Team with a speed of 44.4 km / h over a distance of an eighth of a mile (231.5m) . The pilot Gerhard van der Schaar, who was in Monaco, is the current world champion. “It ‘s good to be again here in Monaco. There is a very friendly atmosphere, and it is encouraging to see so many young people involved.”

In addition to the main event also takes place Vripack Grand Prix and provides five high school students from the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier of Monaco are building their own boat (thanks to the basic kit from Vripack) to enter the contest. “We look forward to seeing the final product, but for the moment we are quite satisfied with the progress,” said Nicolas, one of the participating students.

Topics:

monte carlo

launches

solar

sun

yacht

speedboat

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