The Yacht Club de Monaco and its President, HSH Prince Albert II, have long been committed to the energy transition by becoming a platform for building the yachting of tomorrow, as part of the environmental policy supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Numerous initiatives organized under the aegis of the Monaco; Capital of Advanced Yachting collective demonstrate the Principality's ambition to be a center of excellence for luxury yachting. The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, the SEA Index, and the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Rendezvous contribute to the profusion of innovations in this laboratory.
Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: the future of yachting in motion
In keeping with a long Monegasque tradition, which began in 1904 with the first motorboat meetings to test the latest innovations in engine technology at sea, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has become since its inception in 2014 an incubator supporting R&D in eco-propulsion for boats.
Organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and with the support of Crédit Suisse, BMW and SBM Offshore, and the Oceanco shipyard, this unique event in the world celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. It is unique because it brings together young engineers from colleges and universities with key players in the yachting industry. The goal is to stimulate their creative abilities by challenging them to develop eco-responsible alternative propulsion systems and share knowledge in open source.
All these innovations are being tested in a variety of competitions at sea, the main constraint being the limitation of the amount of energy used on board.
« The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is a rare opportunity because it brings together professionals and students from around the world to share their knowledge. It's one of the best ways to contribute to the upcoming transition. Monaco has always been the mecca of yachting. We have a responsibility to evolve towards an eco-responsible sector for our planet, the oceans, and future generations. »Says Bernard d'Alessandri, Secretary General of the YCM.
Throughout the last decade, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has continued to attract international teams from around the world. This 9e This edition boasts a record 38 teams and 21 nations in three categories (Energy, Solar, and Open Sea Class). Alongside newcomers like India, Canada, and Peru, there are regulars like Italy's Uniboat, winners of the Energy class for the second consecutive year, and the Netherlands' Sunflare, winners of the Solar class. Also notable is the presence of 36 exhibitors who unveiled the latest innovations.
From solar to hydrogen: an evolution underway
Initially, in 2014, the focus was on promoting solar energy to demonstrate its performance. Over the years, combined solutions have begun to prove their worth: several battery technologies, hydrogen, compressed air, and soon, perhaps, zero-emission alternative fuels up to a boat powered solely by plastic waste with emissions capture. Little by little, hydrogen has established itself as a high-performance alternative of choice, and nine years later, the facts are clear. Thanks to work on hydrogen, we have seen real innovations in this field, notably with the Portuguese solar boat Técnico (Energy class) which has developed a dehumidification system for hydrogen and gases passing through the fuel cell »Says the president of the international jury, Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO of EODev.
This year, 50% of the teams chose to work on hydrogen, including Monaco-based SBM Offshore, which is participating for the fourth consecutive year. Their pontoon, producing green hydrogen from renewable energy, was moored in the YCM marina with, new this year, the addition of floating photovoltaic panels. The hydrogen produced was used by the SBM E-Racing Team to refuel their boat competing in the Energy class and to release the same amount of hydrogen back into the water as that used to produce the hydrogen. "A virtuous circle that we hope to see develop on a large scale," adds Jérémie Lagarrigue.
While the races were taking place, experts gathered for the 3e Monaco Hydrogen Working Group roundtable entitled "Unlocking hydrogen barriers in the maritime sector: port regulations and economic viability of projects." Organized in partnership with the Monaco Energy Transition Mission, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Yacht Club de Monaco, it provided an opportunity to take stock of the hydrogen market, its regulations, and its financing options.
Innovations galore
« Other notable innovations highlight eco-design with bamboo, linen fiber and recycled PET on engines still packed with technology ", explains Jérémie Lagarrigue. " Students thus develop the skills necessary for the pleasure boating of tomorrow with life cycle analyses that will guide the design of future ships " Progress has also been made on propellers, notably winglets on ever more efficient profiles, offering a yield of almost 80% compared to 50% currently in the industry.
In the Energy class (where the one-design hulls are supplied by YCM and teams choose their own zero-emission energy solution), the amount allowed on board has been doubled this year, to 10 kWh. This has radically changed the racing, with the boats being undeniably faster. Overall, the teams have been working on existing projects, improving and strengthening them to raise the bar for this 9e edition.
One of the big challenges this year has been adapting projects to minimize transport costs and environmental footprint. The teams put all their ingenuity to the test on collapsible, foldable boats and for some even able to be transported in their suitcases like the Sailing Tigers boat of the Dubai team, while the Canadians managed to fit their Exocet into a 1,5 meter long box for air travel. In total, 50% of the teams took up this space-saving challenge.
All eyes are now on the developments and new features that will undoubtedly be presented during the 10e Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (July 5-8, 2023).
Sea Index®: assessment of the carbon footprint of superyachts
Launched in 2020 by the YCM, the SEA Index® ranking continues. This first carbon footprint calculator allows you to quickly compare superyachts over 40m in order to target environmental objectives to reduce CO2 emissions in yachting.
The founders of the Superyacht Eco Association (SEA), led by Bernard d'Alessandri, have announced the launch of Phase II of the SEA Index® in partnership with Lloyd's Register in 2021. This more dynamic phase assesses the energy intensity of engines and generators, by integrating a typical operational profile and hybrid systems.
Thanks to the SEA Index® tool, the YCM Marina has, for example, set up a system to encourage yachts with low environmental impact by granting members of the Superyacht Eco Association preferential rates on berths.
The Superyacht Eco Association has just launched a third category, alongside professional members and yacht owners. Called "Friends of the SEA Index," it is open to individuals and businesses who do not own a yacht assessed by the SEA Index but who support the association's initiatives.
“The Superyacht Eco Association’s membership community, both at the YCM and beyond, continues to grow. We’re seeing owners making more sustainable choices. It’s important to act now and reach out to the wider superyacht community,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM Secretary General.
Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous: paving the way for new facilities for smart and sustainable cities
From virtuous marinas to the cities of tomorrow
The YCM welcomes all initiatives that promote innovative ecological solutions to contribute to a greener future for yachting. These include: the 2e Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, September 25-26, 2022, organized by M3 (Monaco Marina Management). Some 250 industry players are expected to attend with the shared objective of providing a collective response to climate challenges and promoting responsible innovation in the design and operation of sustainable marinas.
« A marina is a forward-looking micro-city, with strong interaction between the terrestrial and marine environments. As part of Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina, we are harnessing innovation to develop virtuous, low-carbon marinas that generate new economic value. These new marinas will be models for the cities of tomorrow. The pioneering aspect explains the enthusiasm of startups that offer innovative solutions for water, energy and waste management, mobility, security, construction, port equipment and infrastructure, and of course the protection and regeneration of biodiversity. ", Explain Géraldine A. Gustin, CEO of Blumorpho.
Collective intelligence widely mobilized
Keen to follow up with concrete results, the organizers have extended the concept to marinas in operation or under development, as well as to architects who have or are working on marinas, inviting them to present their plans to reduce their environmental impact. All their solutions are included in the E-catalogue, which lists 50 startups and around twenty marinas and architects (26 nations) and is available online on the event website: https://sustainablesmartmarina.com/e-catalogue
Two days of conferences and meetings are on the program with workshops on the following themes: water and energy optimization, protection and regeneration of biodiversity, new construction materials, eco-design, port management, security and finance.
Marinas, architects and startups can also present their projects in the exhibition area.
On Monday, September 26, the International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards will award prizes in three categories: Startups, Marinas, and Architects, following an original three-phase selection process consisting of individual interviews with a jury composed of manufacturers, nautical professionals, and investors. For the Marinas and Architects categories, public voting will also be taken into account.
This event is supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Prince's Government's digital transition program, Extended Monaco, the Al-Rushaid Group, Crédit Suisse, Bombardier, MB92 Group and the Yacht Club de Monaco.
It is through initiatives like these that the YCM takes another step towards a greener future and continues to write the pages of its future, which it hopes will be sustainable.
Erdan Nareh-Telrit
