Date added: 2024-11-05
SC Korab on the podium! A major success for the students at the Sardinia Innovative Boat Week.
Solar is a hydrofoil boat fully powered by solar energy, drawn from seven solar panels mounted on its deck. Its ability to lift above the water is enabled by hydrofoil technology, where wing-like foils generate lift that raises the hydrofoil above the water’s surface, significantly reducing drag. This allows for higher speeds with lower energy consumption.
The students won the first two events: the Endurance and Ton's Race. Thanks to new ActiveSol photovoltaic panels, the boat gained several hundred additional watts of power, giving them a competitive edge. "However, Sardinia’s weather doesn’t always cooperate, and we lost a significant reserve of propulsion power," noted Aleksander Longa from SC Korab.
SC Korab on the Podium
Hundredths of a second made the difference in securing second place in the overall standings. “This is an incredible success for our team and a huge boost to further develop the project and reach ever-higher levels of professionalism. The progress our project and our team have made is remarkable and could steer the hydrofoil in entirely new directions,” said Aleksander.
Hard Work – Great Results
After the Monaco competition in July, the students dedicated countless hours to refining their boat.
“We began by testing the propulsion system in the mechanical lab, analyzing the capabilities of our engine and energy management system. It didn’t take long to find the safest operating parameters and to adjust the system for lifting Solar out of the water. The next step was to improve the drive transmission system. The gearbox needs to work as efficiently as possible to transfer full power to the propeller. Aligning the system and ensuring its correct coupling was quite a challenge, and our dependable advisor, Dr. Wojciech Leśniewski, was a tremendous help,” explained Aleksander Longa.
The Sardinia Innovative Boat Week is an extraordinary event that celebrates the mixture of sport, sustainability, and innovation. It brings together engineers, adventurers, and creative minds from across Europe, inviting hundreds of students and researchers from around the world to showcase their skills in unique competitions.
We encourage you to follow SC Korab on social media, where you can find updates and highlights from each day of the event and much more!
