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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