Coimbatore - Team Sea Sakthi, a group of engineering students from Coimbatore's Kumaraguru College of Technology (KCT) in Tamil Nadu, made India proud by showcasing their innovative abilities, determination, and adventurous spirit. Competing in the prestigious 10th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2023, the team secured an impressive sixth position with their creation, Yali 2.0, India's first hydrogen-powered energy boat.

Yali 2.0 stands out as a pioneering vessel, featuring a custom-built propulsion system designed by the students themselves to meet the requirements of the race. The team's aim was to develop a sustainable and efficient marine vehicle, and their hard work paid off with the successful creation of Yali 2.0.

The cockpit of Yali 2.0 is constructed using carbon fibre, and it is equipped with an 8.4kWh lithium-ion battery as the primary energy source, complemented by a 2kW fuel cell and a 400W solar panel as secondary energy sources.

In addition to securing the sixth position overall, Team Sea Sakthi received the Communication Prize at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. It is noteworthy that they had also won the same prize in the previous edition of the competition.

Competing against 17 teams from 10 different countries, including Italy, Canada, Dubai, and the USA, among others, Team Sea Sakthi cleared the technical inspection and completed qualifying laps to achieve their impressive ranking. They finished fifth in the endurance race after completing 16 laps, came eighth in the Slalom race, and secured the sixth position in the championship race. The combined performance in all these events contributed to their overall standing.

Last year, Team Sea Sakthi competed with their first energy boat named Yali, powered by a battery and a solar panel, and achieved a sixth position as well.

The journey of Team Sea Sakthi began with students from various engineering disciplines coming together at KCT Garage, a student-empowered technical forum incubated within the institution.

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is organized by the Yacht Club De Monaco, which aims to promote green innovation in the yachting industry and encourage e-mobility in the marine sector. The challenge inspires students and researchers to develop sustainable boats with zero-emission propulsion systems, contributing to a greener future.