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PLANET SOLAR - PROJECT LAUNCH 16 March 2006
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The PlanetSolar team presented their extraordinary challenge: Around the World in 80 Days Powered by Renewable Energies. During a press conference held on Thursday, March 16, 2006, at 10:30 am, at The School of Business and Engineering Vaud, Switzerland, in its assembly hall.
ROUTE
Initially, the team Around the World with Stopovers, Powered by Solar Energy, in 120 Days The first objective is to successfully complete an around the world route with stopovers along the equator, where the maximum amount of sunlight is available. The over 40'000 km voyage should take place within 120 days and will be sailed at an average speed of 10 knots. Both navigators aboard the PlanetSolar will cross through the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and finally the Suez Canal, crossing the finish line at the start off point in the Mediterranean Sea.
PlanetSolar - solar powered trimaran
The trimaran will not be re-fuelled with energy supplies at stopover points. However, the ports of call will provide the ideal opportunity to display and present the boat to viewers and the media, in an effort to promote renewable energies' tremendous potential.
THE BOAT
A Harmony between Technology and Poetry. With its impressive photovoltaic solar wings spanning 180 m2 and its wave-piercing third, or centre hull, that cuts through waves), the innovative PlanetSolar trimaran imitates the graceful landing of a swan, as it skims the water with its feet. These are the words of the team to describe their vessel.
Indeed, in spite of its remarkable proportions (see below), and the absence of sails, it gives the impression of being an enormous immaculate, white bird of the sea; with a sense of lightness and fluidity owing to its pure design. However, underneath the poetry of its sublime silhouette, lies a boat at the forefront of technology, as envisioned by the MW-Line Ltd. Company. MW-Line has already successfully built the fleet of Aquarel Boats now running on Lake Léman as well as the solar powered catamarans used at the 2002 Swiss National Exposition, Expo.02.
Maximum research has been undertaken to insure that this futuristic craft will be able to charge its storage batteries even with a minimum amount of sunlight available. The PlanetSolar engineers must oversee the boat's propulsion system, the solar panels' energy yield and energy storage, all the materials used in the boat's construction and the environmental conditions. A 10 kW motor power would be sufficient to propel the boat to an average speed of 10 knots (18,5 km/h). The storage batteries capacity is aimed at covering navigation autonomy of at least 48 hours; without any additional energy input.
The Hybrid Vehicle: The Solution for the Future With the exception of renewable energy propulsion, PlanetSolar's additional goal is to demonstrate that the hybrid vehicle will be the ideal transportation solution for the near future. During PlanetSolar's around the world voyage with stopovers, energy used for data processing, telecommunications and automatic pilots will be generated by a fuel cell that will furnish 300 W to 400 W of power. In spite of the severe conditions encountered, this fuel cell, as well as its output, should require only a minimum amount of hydrogen to be put a board the boat.
In the longer term (from 2010), PlanetSolar will use fuel cells with far greater power. This will lead to an increase in the boat's speed, as well as its greater autonomy. These optimal conditions will come together in time, promising faster navigation on southern route, without stopovers, in 80 days.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length:
30 meters
THE CREW
The project's founder will be one of the two navigators setting off to sea. An internationally acclaimed skipper will join him (whose name will not be divulged for the time being).
Project Launch March 2006
ORGANISATION
This project is carried out by the PlanetSolar association which remains apolitical, and is governed according to articles 60 of the Swiss Civil Code. Its Executive Committee is the representative authority for the organization and supervises the entire project.
COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee (strategic stakeholders) are:
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE
Members
« The PlanetSolar project is part of the Vernien endeavors; humanitys hope for a better future in a world that seems to be calling into question all the dangers that threaten it. While reading about this research program on innovative vehicles that are safe for the environment, my thoughts turned to Jules Vernes novel, «The Begums Fortune», which brings to the forefront a vision of short term profit making at the cost of destruction; a vision that considers both nature and mankind. Even though it is a bit exaggerated in certain aspects, this ecological opus depicts all of our own contradictions and hopes. In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an "extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds," I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.»
ACTUAL SPONSORSHIP
Private and Public Donations
General Conditions
The PlanetSolar project's sponsors and partners share in a global view towards the planet's and mankind's sustainable development. They are ready to undertake the challenges of this project. Their collective philosophy meets and respects all elements of the PlanetSolar project.
Sustainable Development of the Project
In order to reach its goals, especially concerning communication towards the general public, the project will be highly visible at the international level over several years time. After the boats first around the world tour, without stopovers, the boat will be kept in use and continue to attain high standard performance. It will also continue in its role as a renewable energy laboratory.
PlanetSolar
Postal Account: 17-450479-6 By
E-mail : info@planetsolar.org
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AUTOMOTIVE | BLUEBIRD | ELECTRIC CARS | ELECTRIC CYCLES | SOLAR CARS |
Jean-Louis
Aucouturier, Professor Emeritus at the ENSEIRB Graduate Engineering
School - Bordeaux Science and Technology University and
President-Founder of the Electric Boats of France (l'Association française
pour le bateau électrique - AFBE).
Jean-Luc
Van Den Heede, Navigator and Record Holder of the solo non-stop
westward circumnavigation by sailboat. Ten Cape Horn passages, four
around the worldsailing tours; two of these tours in the Vendée Globe
Race.
Fernand Cuche
