Bateau de Course Solaire

BatCourSol - Dimensionnement et réalisation d'un bateau de course solaire pour la participation au Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge

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Organised since 2014 by the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with the International Powerboating Federation (UIM) and Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Solar & Energy Boat Challenge is unique in the world.

More than a century after the first international powerboat meetings were launched in 1904, the YCM is reviving a tradition by leaving the field wide open to innovation and the imaginations of young engineers, working hand in hand with experienced manufacturers. Their goal is to develop alternative propulsion systems, using only clean energy sources to power the yachting of tomorrow. A real technological challenge to meet the energy needs of the leisure boat and shipping industries and the accompanying and environmental prerogatives.

Source : https://mcsebc.org/

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As a Master Project, Professor Jean-François Affolter directed the study of an electric solar boat. The study was made by the student Michael Crottaz, and was focused on the characterization of the hulls, the sizing of the electrical system and of the cockpit. This project was carried out with the aim of participating in the Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge (MCSEBC).

The hulls of a “Class A” catamaran was used as the starting point of the project. The hulls were initially used for a sailing boat built by “Scheurer Bootswerft”, a shipyard in Nidau. The solar panels were built by the CSEM. They can deliver a peak power of 1.3 kW for a total surface (considering only the cells) of 5.5 m². Dreifels provided the batteries with a capacity of 1.5 kWh. The motor used was an outboard from E-propulsion of 6 kW. The cockpit and the solar panels frame were built only using aluminum, wood, cardboard and linen fiber.

With those characteristics, the boat was able to go to a top speed of 23 km/h. During the sunniest parts of the days in Monaco, the boat was capable to go at 10 km/h only using solar energy.

Our team came fifth out of nine participants in our category. The jury awarded to our team the “Special Prize Eco Conception” to encourage our use of less polluting materials and the recycling of hulls. Indeed, this method allowed us to carry out the project for a minimal cost compared to the other teams.

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Credit : https://mcsebc.org/