The TU Delft Hydro Motion Team will not compete on liquid hydrogen during this year’s Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. The Team ran out of time to ensure the safety of the liquid hydrogen system integration into its new foiling race boat.
The student team spent the past ten months developing a vessel powered by liquid hydrogen, but delays caused by redesigning and building a custom cryogenic storage tank, as well as setbacks in securing liquid hydrogen, prevented the system from being installed and tested on the water before the competition.
Also read: VIDEO: Hydro Motion Team reveals 2026 hydrogen boat
Successful land-based tests
According to the team, the complete liquid hydrogen system was successfully tested ashore, including a custom-designed tank and boil-off system. The latter converts evaporated liquid hydrogen in the tank into usable energy, preventing pressure build-up and improving system efficiency.
Despite these successful land-based trials, the team decided not to race on liquid hydrogen, citing the need for extensive on-water testing and a commitment to safety. Instead, the Hydro Motion Team will compete using gaseous hydrogen.
Also read: Liquid hydrogen as the fuel of choice
New foiling configuration
Although the liquid hydrogen system will not make its racing debut, the team says it has achieved several important technical milestones. In addition to designing and building an entirely new boat, it developed a new foiling configuration that combines the two forward foils into a single foil, enabling the vessel to lift clear of the water and execute stable, high-speed banking turns.
The team regards this year’s work as laying the foundation for future liquid hydrogen-powered vessels and intends to continue developing the technology beyond this year’s competition.
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge takes place 8-11 July and can be followed here. The TU Delft Hydromotion Team also keeps a live blog on its website.
Picture: TU Delft Hydro Motion Team testing the 2026 boat in the Netherlands (photo by the TU Delft Hydro Motion Team).
Also read: TU Delft Hydro Motion Team wins second place in Monaco
