Energy Boat Challenge: Monaco’s Floating Laboratory with Students, Sustainability, and Sea Trials

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC), held from July 1 to July 6, 2024, in the scenic Bay of Monaco, has once again established itself as the premier event for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and alternative energy solutions in the yachting industry. This year, more than 450 engineering students from 40 universities and 25 nations converged at Port Hercule, bringing with them innovative prototypes and a shared vision of a sustainable maritime future.

Solidarity without borders is the spirit of the occasion. A veritable laboratory of innovation, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge encourages mutual support between the teams.

From the moment the event commenced, the atmosphere at the quayside was electric and a hot-bed of innovation. The 46 teams, hailing from diverse corners of the globe, meticulously prepared their boats for inspection by the Technical Committee. Comprised of seasoned yachting professionals, this committee ensured that each prototype adhered to the highest standards of safety and compliance, setting the stage for a series of thrilling nautical events.

Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco, emphasized the unique collaborative spirit of the MEBC: “This event fosters invaluable interactions between students and industry experts, facilitating mentorship, knowledge exchange, and networking, all of which are crucial for driving innovation in yachting.”

MEBC Champions Zero Emission Mobility

The MEBC is more than just a competition; it’s an open-source platform that champions zero-emission mobility. Since its inception in 2014, the challenge has evolved to feature three main classes—Energy, Solar, and Open Sea—each competing in a variety of events, including parades, sea trials, speed records, fleet races, endurance tests, and slalom courses, all for the enjoyment of spectators and visible from the shore.

Standout Participants Showed Off the use of Sustainable Materials and New Propeller Designs

Among the standout participants making waves in the press were the French team from HydroVinci, whose cockpit constructed from cork showcased a commitment to sustainable materials. The Croatian Adria Energy Boat Team impressed with their use of flax and hemp to enhance their monohull’s durability and weight distribution. Meanwhile, the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team from Belgium focused on optimizing their propeller for both sprint and endurance, thereby improving battery efficiency.

Conferences and the Hydrogen Round Table on Innovative Advancements in Hydrogen

In addition to the on-water competitions, the MEBC also hosted two half-day conferences focused on alternative fuels and innovative technologies in yachting. These sessions provided a platform for professionals to share insights and discuss the future of the industry.

A highlight of the event was the fifth edition of the Hydrogen Round Table, organized by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Mission pour la Transition Énergétique, and the Yacht Club de Monaco. This round table delved into the latest advancements in hydrogen innovation for maritime applications.

E-Sport Championship

Complementing the technical discussions was the E-Sport Championship, held on a simulator, offering a modern twist to the traditional challenges and engaging a broader audience in the spirit of competition.

120 years after the first gatherings of motorboats, Monaco has once again been the spectator and the actor of unprecedented innovations. It is is an important part of what makes Monaco, the “Capital of Advanced Yachting”.

“If Monaco wants to position itself at the forefront of Yachting, the Principality must support its transformation. It is only by combining our efforts and sharing our technological progress that we will achieve our goal,” is the spirit of the event set by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, President of the Y.C.M and now followed each year.

As the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge grows it remains a beacon of innovation, inspiring the next generation of engineers and industry leaders to push the boundaries of what is possible in the pursuit of a greener future on the seas and the future of sustainable yachting.

Writing new pages of history MEBC makes it still possible to be a pioneer thanks to all the new sources of energy and technology available to protect the environment.

Prizes

The Energy Boat Challenge event has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2014 stimulating and rewarding innovation with its coveted prizes.

See the results under https://energyboatchallenge.com/challenge/prizes-2024/