Two university teams from Scotland will represent the country for the first time with hydrogen boats at this summer’s Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. This event will highlight both advanced hydrogen technology and the collaborative spirit of the Scottish hydrogen community.
Scotland will make its debut at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge from July 2 to 5, 2025, with two student teams competing in the SeaLab Class category. The teams are being supported by Forth Ports Limited, Hydrogen Scotland members such as PlusZero Ltd, Waterwhelm, Aich2 and TCP along with support from government agencies and universities, who are working together to showcase the best in Scottish hydrogen technology on the international stage. This historic participation, which earned recognition in Scottish Parliament, represents a significant milestone for Scotland’s growing hydrogen sector and maritime innovation capabilities.
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco, brings together over 1,000 students, engineers, and industry leaders to advance renewable marine propulsion systems. Participants test prototype vessels featuring solar, hydrogen, and synthetic fuel technologies designed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high nautical performance.
The Scottish teams will compete in the SeaLab Class, considered the master class of the competition, against teams from France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Switzerland. This category challenges participants to design and build cutting-edge boats with efficient alternative propulsion systems, fostering innovation in the maritime and yachting industries.
Team 1: Scotland +0- The Vital Spark V3
The University of Glasgow team, led by PlusZero in collaboration with Forth Ports and Waterwhelm, has developed a hydrogen boat, a hydrofoil known as the Vital Spark Hydrogen.
The vessel features a PlusZero Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE) battery hybrid generator, the same technology being used to provide clean shore power to tugboats at Leith Port. Green hydrogen produced at the port eliminates the need for diesel generators, offering a completely carbon and pollution-free alternative.
Crewed by the University of Glasgow’s UG Hydrogen Fuel Racing team (pictured above), the hydrofoil also uses EPTechnologies’ advanced battery system, Aich2 and ImaGEN Inc’s modular solid state hydrogen storage unit, ePropulsion’s zero-emission electric pod drive.
“We bring together leading Scottish innovators to demonstrate cutting-edge hydrogen solutions from sustainable hydrogen production to storage and utilisation,” the team explained. “This showcases Scotland’s leadership in the global hydrogen economy and our commitment to advancing clean, low-carbon technologies.”
Team 2: Heriot-Watt University: The Experiment of Leith H2
The second Scottish entry comes from Heriot-Watt University’s multidisciplinary student team, working in partnership with the iNetZ+ research institute. Their hydrogen boat, “The Experiment of Leith H2,” is a cutting-edge trimaran designed by Paul Sparrow and dubbed the “Caterham of the Sea” for its robust construction and high stability.
The boat is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell provided by TCP and ePropulsion’s electric outboard motor with solid-state hydrogen stored in swappable canisters. This system offers higher energy density and safety compared to traditional lithium batteries, operating at low pressures (less than 1 bar) to minimise fire risks and eliminate energy losses over time.
“This technology represents a transformative leap in sustainable maritime transport,” the team noted. “We aim to demonstrate the practicality of hydride technology while challenging conventional hydrogen solutions.”
Competition Categories
Teams will compete across multiple categories, with prizes awarded by an international jury for various achievements, including the Jury Coup de Coeur for the most attention-grabbing project, the New Generation Prize for the most commercially viable innovation, as well as speed trials, endurance challenges, and manoeuvrability tests.
This participation marks a significant milestone for maritime engineering education in Scotland and aims to inspire the next generation of engineers in sustainable transport technologies. This event also demonstrates how industry and academia can collaborate to successfully introduce practical, real-world applications, showcasing Scotland’s growing capabilities in hydrogen technology and sustainable maritime innovation, and positioning the country as a leader in the global transition to clean energy transportation.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland to make its debut at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. The event offers a platform to highlight Scotland’s innovation and collaborative energy. By bringing together universities, industry, and government, we’re demonstrating the forefront of Scottish hydrogen technology and the remarkable talent of our students. These teams are at the helm of driving a cleaner maritime future on a global scale. Wishing them the very best of luck!” commented Sally Molyneux, Business Manager at Hydrogen Scotland.
