9th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (July 6-9) » PACA’s economic and political newsletter
Key to our economy and lung of our planet, the ocean covers 70% of the Earth and produces 50% of the oxygen. Facts that make us understand the urgent need to protect it.
Throughout the year, the competitors of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and all yachting players have worked to reshape the face of the industry to achieve this. It is by exploiting all the avenues of maritime innovation that it will indeed be possible to write the future of super yachting.
As part of the umbrella brand “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting” collective and bringing together the industry and the new generation of engineers, the event, created in 2014, is organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundationand the assistance, in particular, of Swiss credit, BMW and SBM Offshorebut also from the shipyard Oceanco. ” Innovation represents a fundamental issue of our time in the field of yachting. Propulsion, renewable energies, eco-construction and design are, among other things, areas of innovation in the maritime sector which make it possible to meet environmental challenges. It is a real satisfaction to see the real enthusiasm for this event with the participation of 38 international teams and the involvement of big names in the industry who are benchmarks » comments Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the YCM
21 nations on deck
38 teams have confirmed their participation in this event in a unique format in the world. This combines numerous trials at sea (trials, speed records, endurance and maneuverability trials) to test and administer the full potential of the technology used, with an open source technical component (conferences, daily tech talks, round table) to share and discuss knowledge and advances in the field of propulsion.
They will compete in three categories: the energy classhistory Solar class and the Open Sea Class which offers exhibitors the possibility of dismantling their technology at sea.
the Village of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, made up of around thirty exhibitors, is freely open to the public, and welcomes start-ups and new projects dedicated to innovation and new energies in yachting. Between the teams and the exhibitors, a total of fifty units powered by alternative energies will be present in the YCM Marina: a record!
21 nations are united including the Indians of Kumaraguru College of Technology arrived in Monaco. This is the first time that an Indian team has taken part in an international motorboating event. Among the ranks of new competitors, note the presence of Canadians from PolytechniqueMontreal or students of the National Engineering University of Peru. Alongside them, some are already well versed in the exercise, like SBM Offshorecompany based in Monaco for whom this will be the 4e consecutive attendance.
Exhibitors: ambassadors of innovation!
Among the regulars, we find EndX which develops a biomimetic and innovative technology of electric and patented nautical propulsion replacing the propeller by an undulating membrane inspired by fish. E’dyn, American yachts, Gerris Boats or Aquon (…), will also return this year without forgetting the Monegasques of Laneva Boatslined up in the Open Sea class in 2021 “ we develop 100% electric boats explains François Richard, Managing Director of Lanéva Boats. ” We came second last year and met many market players. This year, we will meet the same enthusiasm in order to present our new unit “.
Convergence of objectives
A well-kept secret during the events, the underside of the performances is shared during the tech talks ashore organized in open-source. These exchanges between participants must feed the strategy of innovations that motivate all the protagonists of the meeting, whether they are young engineers or key players in the industry.
Hailed as a great communication platform, the event promotes synergies and debates, particularly during conferences organized within the YCM, including those scheduled for Thursday, July 7. baptized “Energy Transition in Yachting: Opportunities & Limits”, this day will give the floor to about twenty specialists who will come to discuss the subject of R&D on alternative energies, carbon-free energy production on board as well as the yachting sector as a field of experimentation (upon registration). The Explorer Mike Horn will also come to conclude this day rich in exchanges.
The next day, Friday 8 July, and following on from a first meeting in 2019, the Mission for Energy Transition Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Yacht Club of Monaco propose a 3e editing Monaco Hydrogen Working Group Round Table entitled ” Unlocking the barriers of hydrogen in the maritime sector: port regulations & economic viability of projects (by invitation).
A swarm of novelties
At the same time, it will be possible to witness the use of certain new features installed around the quays and the Yacht Club of Monaco, such as the flexible solar panels of Solar Fabric. ” This involves covering two structures of approximately 6.2 m by 3.3 m with foldable photovoltaic modules says William Borderie, sales manager. ” Each structure will be equipped with two easily foldable and movable sets. One of these sets will be connected to the network, the second to a portable battery. The main objective of this installation is to demonstrate what is new in the world of photovoltaics and thus to inspire new generations. The purpose of the device is to encourage users to use photovoltaic modules while at anchor rather than turning on their generator, and thus avoid nuisance in terms of pollution, noise and vibration. Nothing is lost, everything is transformed, as evidenced by the partnership concluded during the event with SMEG which will deploy floating solar pontoons that will allow the electricity produced to be reinjected into the YCM network.
Other innovative actions with the installation – for the second consecutive year – of a pontoon producing green hydrogen from renewable energies. Proposed by the Monegasque company SBM Offshore, it will be moored in the YCM Marina and will have the addition of floating photovoltaic panels. The hydrogen provided will allow their team SBM E-Racing Teamengaged in Energy Class, to restock to take part in the sea events. Still in terms of hydrogen, EODev will present a 100kVA zero-emission GEH2 electro-hydrogen generator to provide off-grid electricity like a generator, but without any pollution.
The focus on real and virtual interactions
Organized since 2019 in the form of informal meetings, a Job Forum is held on the Thursday of each edition to allow industry professionals to meet the technical yachting talents of tomorrow. An initiative, positioning yachting as a job generator. From its first year of implementation, around twenty young people have found an internship or job opportunity with companies in the sector. Also note the establishment of the first virtual universe of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge dedicated to alternative energies, in which it will be possible to exchange. See you from Wednesday July 6 at 6 p.m. for the official opening of the paddocks and the exhibitors’ village (free entry).