MS turanor planetsolar finalizes worldwide expedition in london

MS turanor planetsolar finalizes worldwide expedition in london
image © thi anh dao le

after leaving oostende, belgium on august 30, the largest solar boat in the world reached london, bringing the 8000 km planetsolar deepwater scientific measurement expedition along the gulf stream to a close. the catamaran had been transformed into a scientific platform since the month of june; with an onboard team of researchers from the university of geneva (UNIGE) completing their final collection of data between oostende and london. the ship sailed on the thames for the first time, near the tower bridge, and finally moored at the west india docks in the heart of the british city. during this journey, the ‘ms tûranor planetsolar’ made a number of stopovers—miami, new york, boston, halifax, st. john’s, and oostende. these steps were unique opportunities to communicate and raise public awareness about the issue of climate change.

to see original coverage of the ‘ms tûranor planetsolar’ catamaran on designboom, click here.

image © thi anh dao le

removable parts allow the vessel to supply a total of 516 m2 flat photovoltaics positioned directly at the sun– sending power to 6 blocks of lithium-ion batteries. in addition, engineers have effectively optimized the energy collection system and also the aerodynamics, with the propulsion and light carbon framework providing a durable structure that will endure the long transatlantic route. equipped with an trawling filtering net/scoop, the boat also can collect up to 8 tons of marine pollution as it sails across the ocean. achieving average speeds of 5 knots ( 9.25 km/h), the 6 meter wide craft generates 127 horsepower (93.5 kw) from the plethora of installed solar panels– providing a maximum of 120kw.

the ship achieves average speeds of 5 knots ( 9.25 km/h) and provides a maximum power output of 120kW
image © ania dabrowska

engineers have effectively optimized the energy collection system and also the aerodynamics
image © anthony collins