Kurt Bugeja Coster
University testing electric boat
Next time you book a harbour cruise you may find yourself holding the keys to a small electric boat being tested by the University's industrial electrical power conversion department.
The boat was originally designed four years ago and since then has undergone many modifications to create the ideal summer experience.
Tried out yesterday by Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino and University rector Juanito Camilleri, the boat works on a battery which could be charged at several proposed charging pedestals along the coast, simply using a programmable card. A Bluetooth system transmits the boat's battery status and exact position to a laptop which would be monitored by the service's employees.
Meanwhile, the department is also working on a solar powered catamaran and an electric jet ski, together with an electric car conversion project and the design and implementation of a small wind turbine for domestic use.
The University is investing in the building of a laboratory equipped with the latest technology for research and development on electrical transport which will be used by undergraduate and postgraduate students.
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Christian Sciberras
Oct 25th 2009, 10:50
ACME Do-it-yourself electric boat kit.
Hardly innovative, is it?
Jesmond Micallef
Oct 24th 2009, 15:02
Good to read that the University of Malta has such projects inhand. Well done indeed !!
Please do consider the previous comments on yesterdays column about this same subject matter. The Blue Grotto marine living environment needs protection. This is a perfect solution, to what I believe is an environmental problem.
It is a pleasure to read that Malta is gathering pace in such technologies which ultimately benefit the islands themselves.
Question, if I may : Are collaborative efforts with MCAST onboard on such projects ? The various Institutes there do have a wealthy practical technological base which could come in very handy.