HomeNewsSolar Boat Twente reveals its new boat
Annabel Jeuring Fotografie
Annabel Jeuring Fotografie
Annabel Jeuring Fotografie
Annabel Jeuring Fotografie
Annabel Jeuring Fotografie
Annabel Jeuring Fotografie

Solar Boat Twente reveals its new boat

The students of Solar Boat Twente revealed their new boat named Blue Manta yesterday at the Enschede Airport Twente. The team is looking forward to perform well at two major occassions this year: the team will participate in the Dutch national championships in solar boat racing in Akkrum and will also take part in an international competition, by challenging in the Solar & Energy Boat Race which will be held in Monaco in July.

Sustainability in shipping

The team, consisting of 14 members from different backgrounds, is looking to put environmental awareness and renewable energy in the spotlight for the maritime sector. That mission should be invigorated by showcasting how innovative technology in the field of sustainable energy can be implemented succesfully in their boat: Solar Boat Twente is aiming at grabbing silverware are the Solar Sport One Competition.

Ambitious as they are, the team started to build a new boat from scratch. A striking new feature is the uniquely designed electronic motor that is being placed under water in an optimalized aluminium case. By that, the heart of the boat will be directly cooled by the water. The cooling system makes the boat more powerful, enabling a top speed up to 50 km/hour. The Blue Manta is seven metres long and weighs around 125 kilograms.

For the solar deck, specially designed silicium cells have been used that catch more sunlight than traditional cells and at the same time handle the conditions bettter. Being able to deal with these rough circumstances is absolutely required for success in the salty waters of the Mediterranean.

World championships in Monaco

Stan van der Wel, who is the teamleader of Solar Boat Twente, stated: "As a team, we have been working hard for months to built a reliable and efficient boat. At the moment, we are preparing for the coming racing season." During the Dutch naitonal championships in Akkrum in June - which is the first real test for the team - the boat will be tested in various disciplines: sprint, slalom and endurance. The event will provide important insights to optimize the boat for the great challenge in Monaco.

Stan van der Wel. Photo: Annabel Jeuring Fotografie

L.P.W. van der Velde MSc (Laurens)
Spokesperson Executive Board (EB)