RUM students to compete for first time at Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

 “We’re starting from scratch, including integrating the computer components to obtain information like telemetry,” said Alondra Vélez Avilés, a student who has been collaborating for two years on the watercraft the RUM Solar Boat team will enter in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.

By THE STAR STAFF

A group of students from the Mayagüez University Campus (RUM by its acronym in Spanish) of the University of Puerto Rico who designed a solar-powered watercraft will compete for the first time in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, a worldwide event to be held in Monaco from July 8 to July 11.

The RUM Solar Boat team will represent Puerto Rico in the Energy Class category, competing against countries such as Spain, Poland and Turkey.

“The group has decided to embark on this new adventure,” said Dr. Guillermo Serrano, director of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at RUM, who is also an adviser to the team. “In the past, we participated in what we know as Solar Splash, a solar boat event in the United States. We competed there more than seven times, even taking first place on several occasions. Two years ago, we decided to participate in this international event, and although we couldn’t attend last year, we are working hard to make it happen this year.”

“We ask for your support for these students, as this represents an excellent experience for their development,” Serrano added.

One of the team members, Alondra Vélez Avilés, an electrical engineering student, has been collaborating for two years on the innovative solar boat, both in the mechanical aspects and in its design and construction.

“We’re starting from scratch, including integrating the computer components to obtain information like telemetry,” she said. “This event will be very competitive, so we’re giving it our all as a group. We recently conducted all the water tests and obtained satisfactory results regarding its performance.”

RUM Interim Chancellor Miguel A. Muñoz noted that “[t]his is the first time we have competed against universities with a prominent position in international maritime engineering.”

“We are taking the first step into a new field, and with our ability and talent, we are contributing and investing in our knowledge, science, and technology. I wish them every success.”