Sardinia innovative boat week:in Olbia for sustainable boating

The Sardinia innovative boat week brings the most advanced solar, electric and hydrogen technologies for boats to sea.

• The Sardinia innovative boat week sees international university teams compete with boats powered by renewable energy.
• The Italian teams are focusing on solutions with electric motors and hydrogen systems, pushing the limits of nautical innovation.
• Workshops, laboratories and conferences complete the event, exploring materials and technologies for a more sustainable maritime future.

From 16 to 19 October 2024, the sea of Sardinia in front of the city ​​of Olbia will become the fulcrum of sustainable boating thanks to the first edition of the Sardinia innovative boat week.An event of international scope that will see boats powered by renewable energy, including solar, electric and hydrogen, compete in breathtaking competitions including match-races, duels, slaloms, speed trials and endurance.Ten university from all over the world, including four Italians, and teams from Sardinian high schools will put their skills to the test, exploring the boundaries of nautical innovation.

Sustainable mobility even in water

The initiative, organized by the Blue Matrix association under the leadership of Navy Admiral Ugo Bertelli, is not just a showcase for the technologies most advanced in the naval sector, but also a moment of reflection on the future of sustainable boating.It is an event that goes beyond the competition:it is a platform to showcase the most innovative solutions in terms of energy efficiency and environmental respect.With the support of the Sardinia Region and the patronage of the Ministry of University and Research and the Ministry for Sport and Youth, the Sardinia innovative boat week aims to become a fixed event for industry and research in sustainable mobility in water.

The races will take place among the crystal clear waters of the port of Olbia, with scenarios that will extend up to Porto Rotondo and Tavolara Island.To make the event even more relevant, the inclusion of an agenda full of talks, workshops and workshops.Topics such as environmental protection, the use of renewable energy in sailing and new technologies applied to the construction of boats will be at the center of attention. Among the participants, they stand out international teams coming from the United Kingdom, Poland and Türkiye, together with representatives of excellence from Italy.

The boats of the future created in Italy

The team from the University of Genoa is made up of students and researchers passionate about naval engineering and sustainability.Participants develop high-performance boats powered by eco-friendly sources such as electric motors and hydrogen systems, with the aim of reducing marine pollution and promoting energy efficiency.They arrive in Sardinia with the Unige Elettra, a vehicle that does not just compete, but seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of sustainability, demonstrating that a future with less impact on the environment in the nautical sector is possible.

Another Italian protagonist is Uniboat, of the University of Bologna.This multidisciplinary team stands out for its commitment to the design of innovative boats, using advanced technologies such as electric motors and hydrogen fuel cells.Uniboat aims to minimize the environmental impact of the nautical sector, focusing on the adoption of renewable sources and training the new generation of engineers ready to face the energy challenges of the future. The team will represent the Polytechnic of Milan Physis PEB, made up of over 50 students engaged in the development of a hybrid vessel that integrates hydrogen and battery technologies.With a structured approach in five specialized units, they explore innovative materials such as basalt fiber and design alternative propulsion systems, guaranteeing high performance and reduced environmental impact.From Sicily, here Messina Energy Boat, which added lightweight solar panels that increase battery life.

Among the main events, the workshop Seardinia, space & blue in which personalities from research, institutions and communication will discuss the future of boating, water sports and new space-derived technologies.THE'event marks an important step forward for Sardinia, which aspires to become a reference point for sustainable boating and technological innovation, networking, and waterfall, international and local expertise.