Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

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CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY RIVIERA RACING

Cambridge University

CAMBRIDGE

TEAM

Riviera Racing is a University of Cambridge student community united by a drive for sustainable change. Now in our third year at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, we have evolved from a startup project into a performance-focused racing team. We are a collaborative group of engineers, designers and project leaders proving that clean maritime tech can be fast and efficient. By testing our designs in a fast paced, real-world environment, we bridge the gap between academia and real-world innovation, fostering a place where passionate students can develop the skills needed to create the future of renewable energy.

Project

Our 2026 project marks our transition from initial builds to a performance-focused racing platform. First, we are developing custom propeller geometries using computational design software to improve propulsion efficiency. Second, the boat features space-grade solar panels integrated with an MPPT converter system to optimise energy harvesting and power management. Finally, we have overhauled our software and electronics to increase modularity, reducing external connections by using swappable microcontroller boards. We are also building a digital twin of the boat to assist the pilot with real-time decision-making. Our objective for 2026 is to field a reliable, solar-electric catamaran that demonstrates how engineering optimisation can drive sustainable maritime innovation.