A 100% virtual edition of the Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge
Nick Karvounis / Unsplash
The 7th edition of the Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge kicked off on June 30th, taking place online. Presenting a new format for the challenge, the digital aspect allows the competition to go ahead while meeting social distancing measures.
Eighteen teams from twelve different countries are taking part in this competition organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco alongside the Prince Albert II Foundation and the International Motor Boating Union. It seeks to reflect “the commitment of researchers, academics, future engineers, inventors and yachting and energy professionals” in developing tomorrow’s yachting industry, combining technological innovation and respect for the environment.
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Given the health circumstances, this edition is 100% virtual. “It was impossible to think about cancelling, so we had to be innovative and adapt”, explained Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco. Until July 4th, each team will showcase its work for about ten minutes via Zoom.
Three awards up for grabs
The committee will hand out three prizes in total. As the name suggests, the Innovation Prize will be awarded to the team with the most innovative project, “whether it be on the energy efficiency of the boat designed or its design.” The Eco Conception Prize will be awarded to the most environmentally friendly project, in terms of materials efficiency, processes used, scientific contribution and sharing of most techniques practices will be among the criteria. Finally, they will reward the most creative project with the Spirit Prize. Small additional challenge: the participants will have to present their work in only 1 minute and 20 seconds.
The award ceremony will also take place online, on July 8th at 11 am. Each winner will receive a cheque for €2,000.