The Energy Class is the flagship of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. University teams design and build clean-energy racing catamarans — electric, hydrogen and solar — and push them through speed, slalom, endurance and the championship race.
The Energy Class is where the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge began. Student teams from across the world design and build their own clean-energy racing catamarans, powered by electric, hydrogen or solar systems, and race them head-to-head. It is the largest and most competitive class of the event — a true proving ground for the marine engineers of tomorrow.
University of Bologna — winner of four of the last five Energy Class titles.
The Energy Class is decided on the water across the week. After qualifying laps and the YCM Speed Record, the boats face the gruelling endurance race, a technical slalom and the final championship race — each rewarding a different balance of speed, efficiency and reliability.
Timed laps set the grid — each boat shows its pace over the course in Port Hercule.
The flat-out speed run: the fastest pass over the measured course.
The headline test — hours of efficient, sustained racing on a single charge or tank.
A technical slalom through the buoys, then the championship race to crown the Energy Class.
Student teams from across the world bring their clean-energy catamarans to Port Hercule — the biggest field of the Challenge.
Bilbao School of Engineering, University of the Basque Country
UniBoAT, from the University of Bologna, has dominated the Energy Class — winning four of the last five editions and several Tech Talk prizes in 2025. Browse the 2025 gallery below.
The team to beat, chasing a fifth Energy Class title in six years.
University teams: design, build and race your clean-energy catamaran in Monaco, 29 June -3 July 2027
