Yesterday saw the christening of the solar boat with which the TU Delft Solar Boat Team will take on two challenges this year. The first is to become world champion in the Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge Offshore Class. Later this year, they will attempt to set a world record by crossing the English Channel from Calais to Dover as quickly as possible using solar energy.
Never before has the TU Delft Solar Boat Team built a solar boat that will brave the open sea. In addition to being the first Dutch team, it is also the first student team to take on this challenge. The sun deck measures no less than 28 square metres, which is the same size as nine double beds put together.
The boat uses actively controlled hydrofoils to use the relatively small amount of energy they obtain via the solar panels as efficiently as possible by giving the boat extremely low hydrodynamic resistance at high speeds. The wings are controlled by an electric motor, which is slowed down to create high torque. This torque can counteract and overcome the lift force and water resistance in order to steer the wings. Self-braking is very important in this deceleration. This ensures that the electric motor does not have to run continuously, but only consumes energy when adjusting the wings. This makes the entire system much more efficient.
Bij deze overbrenging worden spindels gebruikt die door Rotero geleverd zijn. Deze spindels geven de grote benodigde overbrengingsverhouding en zijn ook voor een groot gedeelte zelfremmend. Door deze twee eigenschappen zijn ze de perfecte oplossing voor deze applicatie.
Every year, the TU Delft Solar Boat Team develops and builds a boat that runs entirely on solar energy. What makes this year different from previous years is that the team has moved up to a new class in the competition. Whereas they previously always had a boat for inland waters with room for one pilot, this year they have decided to scale up to a seaworthy boat with a three-person crew.
The entire initiative was set up entirely by students, which is why they are very dependent on partners who support the project with products or financial resources. This is how they ended up at Rotero, where they asked us to help them further by supplying a number of spindles and ball screws. Of course, we were happy to cooperate!
We wish the TU Delft Solar Boat Team every success with both challenges!
