Tûranor PlanetSolar explained

MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, known under the project name PlanetSolar, founded by the Swiss explorer Raphaël Domjan, is the largest solar-powered boat in the world[1] and launched on 31 March 2010. The vessel was designed and engineered by LOMOcean Marine. In May 2012, the vessel became the first solar electric vehicle ever to circumnavigate the globe taking 584 days between 2010 and 2012.[2]

The boat was renamed Race for Water in 2015, after the name of the foundation which then operated the vessel and was dedicated to water conservation missions and to protect the oceans from plastic pollution.[3] In 2021, new owners Porrima projects renamed the ship Porrima.[4]

Technical characteristics

The 31-metre boat is covered by 537 m2[5] of solar panels rated at 93 kWp,[6] which in turn connect to two electric motors, one in each hull.[1] There are 8.5 tons of lithium-ion batteries in the ship's two hulls.[7] The boat's shape allows it to reach speeds of up to 10kn.[8] The hull was model tested in wind tunnels and was tank tested to determine its hydrodynamics and aerodynamics. The boat was designed to be used as a luxury yacht after the record attempt was finished.[9] The vessel was later used as an Ambassador for the project Race for Water.

The boat is registered in Switzerland and was financed by a German entrepreneur, Immo Ströher and designed by New Zealand naval architect Craig Loomes.[10] Construction cost was €15 million.[11] The name Tûranor, derived from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings, translates to "The Power of the Sun".[12]

Around the world

On 27 September 2010, Tûranor PlanetSolar set off from Monaco to circumnavigate the globe solely with the aid of solar power. One aim of the project was to focus public awareness on the importance of renewable energies for environmental protection.

The boat had a full-time crew of four including:[13]

Additional crew members joined the voyage during select legs of the voyage including extra security in the Gulf of Aden.[14]

A significant stopover was Cancún, Mexico, during the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference held there from 29 November to 10 December 2010. During the expedition, Tûranor PlanetSolar broke two records: the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by solar boat and the longest distance ever covered by a solar electric vehicle. Tûranor PlanetSolar returned to Monaco on 4 May 2012 after 584 days sailing around the globe.

2013 voyage and transatlantic record

After an engine refit, Tûranor PlanetSolar broke its own record, crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Las Palmas to Saint Martin in the Caribbean in only 22 days, four days faster than on the circumnavigation trip. The boat left Las Palmas on 25 April and arrived in Marigot on Saint Martin on 18 May. The trip led to Miami, Florida, and then continued as a scientific expedition along the Gulf Stream.[15] On the return trip the boat reached St John's, Newfoundland, on 1 August 2013 before heading back across the Atlantic.[16]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PlanetSolar 100′ catamaran has 38,000 photovaltaic solar cells, set to sail in March. Mobile Magazine. Fabrizio. Pilato. 26 February 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100302144352/http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/02/26/planetsolar-100-catamarn-has-38000-photovaltaic-solar-cells-set-to-sail-in-march/. 2 March 2010. 30 March 2010.
  2. Web site: Ankunft in Monaco: Solarboot schafft Weltumrundung in 584 Tagen . de . Hanna . Gieffers . . 4 May 2012 . 5 May 2012 .
  3. Web site: The Boat. Planet Solar.
  4. Web site: A new owner for the Race for Water vessel . 2022-05-19 . www.sailworldcruising.com.
  5. Web site: First Circumnavigation by Solar-Powered Boat . Guinness Records.
  6. Web site: PlanetSolar Unveils World's Largest Solar Boat . Environment News Service. February 27, 2010.
  7. Web site: An inside look at the world's largest solar-powered boat . The Verge. June 22, 2013.
  8. Web site: Technical Data Sheet . PlanetSolar . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100705115607/http://www.das-solarboot.de/technical-data-sheet.html . 2010-07-05 .
  9. Web site: PlanetSolar . LOMOcean Design . 2010-04-24 .
  10. Web site: The Boat. Planet Solar website.
  11. Web site: Das Solarschiff fährt. Frank. Behling. de. 24 April 2010. Kieler Nachrichten. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100426211754/http://www.kn-online.de/lokales/kiel/148722-Das-Solarschiff-faehrt.html. 26 April 2010. 26 April 2010.
  12. Web site: A Milestone in the Progress of Solar Mobility . PlanetSolar . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100705115539/http://www.das-solarboot.de/index.html . 2010-07-05 .
  13. Web site: Team – Fondation PlanetSolar. 2020-12-19. www.planetsolar.swiss.
  14. Web site: Logbook – Fondation PlanetSolar. 2020-12-19. www.planetsolar.swiss. Log Entry of March 5th, 2012. y.
  15. News: PlanetSolar – four days faster across the Atlantic. 19 May 2013. Sail World. 19 May 2013.
  16. News: Solar ship visits St. John's . Rhonda . Hayward . 2 August 2013 . . 14 August 2016.

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