Team Sea Sakthi from Kumaraguru Shines at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2024
Team Sea Sakthi from Kumaraguru Institutions emerged as one of the most promising teams at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2024 by winning four prestigious awards this year.
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2024, organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo, is a one-of-a-kind boating event dedicated to promoting a sustainable future through alternative energy sources.
The 11th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) featured 450 engineering students from 40 universities across 25 nations. Team Sea Sakthi from Kumaraguru College of Technology was the sole team from India to qualify for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge for the third consecutive year.
The 13 member Team Sea Sakthi clinched not just one, but four prestigious awards at the five-day event held from July 2nd to 6th, 2024. Their impressive achievements include winning the Innovation Prize, the Design Prize, particularly the Communication Prize, which they have now won for the third consecutive year. Additionally, they secured the coveted Monaco Town Hall Cup for the second year in a row.
The team was awarded the design prize for celebrating the ingenuity behind their recommendation to use of AI in navigation and bio-mimicking the bald eagle’s structure for improved hydrodynamics.
This year was more significant for the fact that the Team received a standing ovation from the international jury of the 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) during the presentation of their innovation. The top six teams of the event were selected for the innovation presentation, and Team Sea Sakthi’s outstanding performance earned them this accolade.
Team Sea Sakthi’s custom-designed twin-propelled innovation, Yali 3.0, passed technical inspection and was successfully tested in sea trials. The team excelled in the speed races this year, with Yali 3.0 reaching a speed of 13 knots per hour, a significant improvement from last year when technical issues hindered their performance. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the team’s dedication to overcoming challenges and refining their vessel.
The achievements of Team Sea Sakthi underscore the profound impact that young innovators can have on the global stage. Their success at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge not only brings pride to their institution and country but also serves as an inspiration to other young minds striving to make a difference through innovation and sustainable practices.
The team had built an operating system named ‘Yacht OS’ to assist the pilot in monitoring and navigating the yacht/boat. This time, the boat was equipped with a docking assistance system and to monitor pilot’s performance and fatigue, the pilot was wearing a biometric ring which will send real time data to the team about the health condition of the pilot to take effective measures during the race.
The ring monitors pilot’s body temperature, heart rate and other data during the race. The data is sent to a data analyst who can advise the pilot on hydration and relaxation based on the analysis. This system helps the pilot maintain good condition and perform better throughout the race.
The Team Developed an Energy Boat and Named it – Yali 3.0
A fully autonomous boat equipped with custom-built propulsion system, featuring twin propulsion each with the capacity of 6.5 KW, Yali 3.0 demonstrates their commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. The team has developed and indigenously built 10 KW Lithium Ferro Phosphate Battery Pack and the cockpit embracing sustainability using pineapple fibre and upcycled plastic fibre to highlight the ecofriendly approach. The boat’s design and features reflect the team’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of energy-efficient marine technology. While this is the third time that the team is going to participate in the race, the boat has undergone significant improvements.
Improvements to the propulsion system:
This time, the propulsion system strives for a strategical performance. The power consumption can be adjusted to the requirement, using 3 preset modes which limits the energy usage. Eco-Mode will be opted for endurance race where efficiency is vital and for high performance the sports mode will be opted. Normal mode is optimized for cruising.
Two 6500 W propulsion systems with MOX – 09 motors are rated at IE5. This is the world’s highest energy efficiency classification for electric motors. The manoeuvrability of the boat through thrust vectoring, expands YALI’s ability to take agile turns.
The twin Propulsion System produces 1668 Newtons of thrust. Decreasing propeller diameter achieves 40% more acceleration and 15% drag reduction. The YALI cruises at a speed of 18 Knots and reaches a top speed of 25 knots. This time, the team has opted for a Magnetic propulsion, eliminating energy loss due to water seepage. The anti-ventilation plates above the propeller restricts the flow of air into the propeller preventing loss of traction and reduces slip.
To optimize the efficiency, sinewave technology has been employed, where the controller manages the heat produced inside the system which sees through increases the performance, efficiency and provides longer life to the motor and the controller of the propulsion system.
Improvement on Design:
The cockpit’s weight has been reduced by 50%. This is achieved by placing the battery in a different compartment unlocking a smooth passage for air to pass through the battery. A specially designed airduct cools the battery maintaining an optimum temperature. The design has enhanced the weight distribution of the catamaran, giving us the ability to adjust the trim allowing a smooth passage through the choppy waters. The nose cone is designed to create a lucid flow around the cockpit to continue the flow laminar in the negative surface of the cockpit.
Materials Used for cockpit:
Committed to using a natural fibre to promote sustainability, research on Flax, Pineapple, Hemp, Bamboo, and carbon fibre were undertaken. By sandwiching a layer of carbon fibre in between the pineapple fibre, this composite structure can withstand under cyclic loads. The optimal strength to weight ratio has cut the weight of the cockpit to 14 kg.
Innovations:
YALI can run autonomously. The Algorithm has given the ability to attune to the environment with a 3D lidar and Depth Camera and employs a GPS and IMU system to cruise to the destination in the shortest path. With ADAS, Route suggestions and Docking assistance can be provided. 15% lighter battery achieved by an indigenously developed 9600Wh and Lithium Phosphate battery system. A smart hybrid cooling had been employed with Forced air method and phase changing material keeps the battery at an optimum temperature. Through thrust vectoring 20 % more manoeuvrability is achieved.
Journey of Sea Sakthi So Far:
Team Sea Sakthi accomplished a historic milestone by winning the Communication Prize for two years in a row at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Sea Sakthi was adjudged the most popular among 17 teams across 10 countries in the contest. They managed to secure 6th position in the overall ranking too for a record second year besides receiving the “Monaco Town Hall Cup”. This year the team is determined for a podium finish besides retaining the Communication Prize.
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