The Green Foiling Spain project, started as a challenge to participate in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, has become an ambitious effort of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) to promote innovation in clean energy for boats. With 18 teachers and 36 students from five engineering schools, they have developed a trimaran with hydrogen propulsion and a hydrofoil system, allowing the ship to literally "fly" on the water.
Green Foiling Spain Project: A Challenge to Innovate in Clean Energy
The project was highlighted at the 63rd International Congress of Naval Engineering and Maritime Industry, where the team director, Juan Antonio Pérez Socorro, explained that it is the first ship in Spain with electric propulsion from hydrogen and a hydrofoil system. This unique design offers a clean and efficient form of propulsion, and his boat will compete in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge in the Sea Lab category, with four other international teams.
Technical Details of the Competitive Trimaran
The vessel, nine meters long, has capacity for three crew members and a range of 240 kilometers, thanks to its hydrogen fuel cell system connected to an electric motor. Currently, the ship is being built in the INTA-CEHIPAR, and the creators already have a smaller vessel for testing. The 5G system allows the ship to be monitored remotely in real time, which provides valuable data to improve design and safety.
The project also has high-level advisors, such as Marcos Rupérez and Manuel Ruiz de Elvira, who have participated in innovative projects in the naval and automotive industry. Green Foiling Spain seeks to promote clean technologies and motivate the change towards a more sustainable industry, in the hope of inspiring others to develop similar innovations.
Future Projections and Academic Contributions
In addition to its participation in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, Green Foiling Spain plans to present its project at the Navalia fair and other international congresses, as well as hold a public exhibition at the Retiro Pond in Madrid. The project has also contributed to the production of doctoral theses and undergraduate and master's degree works, underlining its academic impact and in the shipbuilding industry. As the sector faces challenges related to digital transformation and the energy transition, initiatives such as this one show the potential of Spain in naval innovation and the importance of training the next generation of engineers.