The Knowledge Centre for Yachts at the NHL University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, starts a DONG Energy Solar Challenge team every 2 years. For the 2012 edition Tim Gorter and Björn Harink are the initiators of a new team. Tim is a PhD-student who researches solar cell integration into boats at the Knowledge Centre for Yachts, while Björn is a PhD-student at the University of Twente. By starting NHL Solarboat Racing they bring the process of building a solarboat to a higher level.
As part of the tradition students from all disciplines are attracted to help design and build the solarboat for the Frisian Solar Challenge. Such a multidisciplinary team in combination with the senior experts from the Knowledge Centre for Yachts generates numerous innovative ideas. This is one of the reasons why it is very attractive for both students and involved companies. They get to know eachother and this may lead to collaboration or sometimes even a job offer.
The idea
The idea of NHL Solarboat Racing is different this year then during previous editions. Before a solar boat was built for the DONG Energy Solar Challenge and after the race nobody did anything with the boat. This year NHL Solarboat Racing started with the idea to generate more continuity inside the NHL University of Applied Sciences in this area. The boats that will be built this year will be maintained and improved after the race.
Our main idea is basically to promote sailing on solar energy. The Province of Friesland aims for a drastical reduce in the use of fossil fuels in which electric driving and sailing fulfill an important role. Ofcourse we want to participate in the DONG Energy Solar Challenge 2012 by building these solar boats. With one of these boats we can compete for the prizes in the A- or C-class. However with these solar boats we can for example give demonstrations after the DONG Energy Solar Challenge 2012. Besides participating in the DONG Energy Solar Challenge 2012 one of our goals is to participate in other races.
The DONG Energy Solar Challenge
The history of the Frisian Solar Challenge starts in the summer of 2004 when Bouwe de Boer, as employee energy policy of the province of Fryslân, figured out that what happened in Australia with the World Solar Challenge on the road should also be able in Fryslân on the water. Andries van Weperen, organizer of special events at Noordplan, was asked to develop a plan what happened in consultation with Professor Wubbo Ockels from the TU Delft. Noordplan and the TU Delft presented a first plan of execution in September 2004 at a popular workshop in the provincial house.
During the first edition of the Frisian Nuon Solar Challenge in 2006 24 teams participated from which 4 teams finished within the 24-hour time limit. 39 teams were participating during the second edition in 2008 from which 24 teams could finish within the time limit. For the 2010 edition a new main sponsor was found through what the name changed into DONG Energy Solar Challenge. This edition had 43 participants on a course which was made heavier but where the speed was significantly higher than at the previous editions.
The participants of the DONG Energy Solar Challenge are divided in three different categories: the A-class, the B-class and the C- or Top-Class. Boats in the A- or B-class sail with solar panels that were provided by DONG Energy while boats in the C-class sail with their own solar panels. Different regulations are drawn on among other length, width and height of the boat for the different classes. The complete regulations can be found on the website of DONG Energy Solar Challenge. The route for the DONG Energy Solar Challenge is de official Elfstedentocht route as shown on the map below.
Below you can find the boat which participated in the DONG Energy Solar Challenge in 2010.
The A-class – Scylla
With the Scylla a 3rd place in the Frisian Solar Challenge 2010 was reached. This boat was also winner of the Prologue reaching top speeds over 28km/h. For this, the team was awarded a special price, handed over by HRH Prince Assem bin Nayef from Jordan
NHL Solarboat Racing
The Knowledge Centre for Yachts at the NHL University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, starts a DONG Energy Solar Challenge team every 2 years. For the 2012 edition Tim Gorter and Björn Harink are the initiators of a new team. Tim is a PhD-student who researches solar cell integration into boats at the Knowledge Centre for Yachts, while Björn is a PhD-student at the University of Twente. By starting NHL Solarboat Racing they bring the process of building a solarboat to a higher level.
As part of the tradition students from all disciplines are attracted to help design and build the solarboat for the Frisian Solar Challenge. Such a multidisciplinary team in combination with the senior experts from the Knowledge Centre for Yachts generates numerous innovative ideas. This is one of the reasons why it is very attractive for both students and involved companies. They get to know eachother and this may lead to collaboration or sometimes even a job offer.
The idea
The idea of NHL Solarboat Racing is different this year then during previous editions. Before a solar boat was built for the DONG Energy Solar Challenge and after the race nobody did anything with the boat. This year NHL Solarboat Racing started with the idea to generate more continuity inside the NHL University of Applied Sciences in this area. The boats that will be built this year will be maintained and improved after the race.
Our main idea is basically to promote sailing on solar energy. The Province of Friesland aims for a drastical reduce in the use of fossil fuels in which electric driving and sailing fulfill an important role. Ofcourse we want to participate in the DONG Energy Solar Challenge 2012 by building these solar boats. With one of these boats we can compete for the prizes in the A- or C-class. However with these solar boats we can for example give demonstrations after the DONG Energy Solar Challenge 2012. Besides participating in the DONG Energy Solar Challenge 2012 one of our goals is to participate in other races.
The DONG Energy Solar Challenge
The history of the Frisian Solar Challenge starts in the summer of 2004 when Bouwe de Boer, as employee energy policy of the province of Fryslân, figured out that what happened in Australia with the World Solar Challenge on the road should also be able in Fryslân on the water. Andries van Weperen, organizer of special events at Noordplan, was asked to develop a plan what happened in consultation with Professor Wubbo Ockels from the TU Delft. Noordplan and the TU Delft presented a first plan of execution in September 2004 at a popular workshop in the provincial house.
During the first edition of the Frisian Nuon Solar Challenge in 2006 24 teams participated from which 4 teams finished within the 24-hour time limit. 39 teams were participating during the second edition in 2008 from which 24 teams could finish within the time limit. For the 2010 edition a new main sponsor was found through what the name changed into DONG Energy Solar Challenge. This edition had 43 participants on a course which was made heavier but where the speed was significantly higher than at the previous editions.
The participants of the DONG Energy Solar Challenge are divided in three different categories: the A-class, the B-class and the C- or Top-Class. Boats in the A- or B-class sail with solar panels that were provided by DONG Energy while boats in the C-class sail with their own solar panels. Different regulations are drawn on among other length, width and height of the boat for the different classes. The complete regulations can be found on the website of DONG Energy Solar Challenge. The route for the DONG Energy Solar Challenge is de official Elfstedentocht route as shown on the map below.
DONG Energy Solar Challenge 2012
July 8 2012: Energy Sunday Leeuwarden
July 9 2012: Leeuwarden – Sloten
July 10 2012: Sloten – Bolsward
July 11 2012 Day off in Bolsward
July 12 2012: Bolsward – Franeker
July 13 2012: Franeker – Dokkum
July 14 2012: Dokkum – Leeuwarden
History
Below you can find the boat which participated in the DONG Energy Solar Challenge in 2010.
The A-class – Scylla
With the Scylla a 3rd place in the Frisian Solar Challenge 2010 was reached. This boat was also winner of the Prologue reaching top speeds over 28km/h. For this, the team was awarded a special price, handed over by HRH Prince Assem bin Nayef from Jordan