After the success of 2014, the shores of Lake Geneva (Switzerland) will host the Hydrocontest again in 2015. From July 14 to 19, the 16 universities that responded will compete in nautical races. After months of preparation to design the boat of the future, these races will allow to decide between the best performing prototypes. 150 students will meet on the site of the Pyramids of Vidy. Among them, 7 French schools, 3 Swiss schools, and 2 Malaysian schools, but also a Brazilian, an Australian, a Colombian, and an English school will be present.
During the week, the 4000 m2 village built on the lakefront will welcome the teams and the public.
Reducing the environmental impact of ships
With 90% of trade in goods carried out by sea, maritime transport is a major economic and environmental issue. Since it is also economic, its volume has quadrupled since the 1970s. Even if it emits nearly 58 times less CO2 than air transport, per ton transported, it is the 5th most important source of atmospheric pollution in the world. However, each % of fuel saved by the world fleet represents a reduction of 42 million tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Based on this observation, the Hydros Foundation has launched the Hydrocontest. This exchange platform promotes innovation in nautical and maritime energy efficiency to the engineers and architects of tomorrow. They can thus explore ways to improve this balance. The projects that are selected will be supported by the Foundation, which will enable them to see the light of day.
Build a boat from the same elements
The principle of the competition is based on three concepts: go faster, longer and use less energy.
The teams had one year to design an innovative prototype whose only limit was size: 2.5 m x 2.5 m x 2m. In order to put everyone on an equal footing, the Foundation provided them with an electric motor, a battery and a grant. They were then given the opportunity to design a boat straight out of their imagination: flying boats or almost submersible, anything is possible!
Different courses for different competitions
Teams compete in a real-life situation, in two categories that could be adapted to an industrial scale: mass transport (container ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers) with a 200 kg ballast, and light transport (pleasure boats) with 20 kg on board.
During 2 days, each prototype has been submitted to the measurement controls of the committee of experts and the races will take place from July 14 to 19.
The qualification phases (time trial) will determine the 8 teams that will compete in the final phases.
After the finals of the 2 categories, all the teams will start the Long Distance Race together on Sunday July 19th. This race will be used to determine the boat capable of covering the longest possible distance using a given amount of energy: that of the battery.
Many trophies to win
The competitors of the Hydrocontest will be awarded several distinctions:
- The "HYDROCONTEST" Grand Prize will be awarded to each of the teams whose boat is the winner in the Mass Transport and Light Transport categories.
- The "HYDROCONTEST Innovation" Award will be given to the team that has implemented the best technological improvements and the most visionary and relevant innovations in terms of adaptability to the industrial world and real economic impact.
- The "HYDROCONTEST Long Distance Race" prize will be awarded to the team whose boat is the winner of the long distance race.
- The "Best Boat Design" trophy will reward the most successful design among the prototypes presented.
- The "Spirit and Values" trophy will be awarded to the team that best reflects the values of sharing and excellence of HYDROCONTEST.
- The "Students Prize" trophy will be awarded by all the students to their "favorite" team
- The "Best Communication" trophy will be awarded to the team that has put in place the best communication, before and during the event.
