PlanetSolar, the World's Largest Solar-Powered Boat, Brings Scientific Mission to Boston

BOSTON, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of its mission to build stronger relationships between scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators in Massachusetts and Switzerland, swissnex Boston is welcoming the world's largest solar-powered boat to Boston's Fan Pier for its inaugural visit, June 22-26. The first boat to travel around the world exclusively powered by solar energy, the MS Turanor PlanetSolar features 29,160 solar panels and produces zero gasoline or CO2 emissions. The boat is currently carrying out unique scientific measurements along the Gulf Stream as part of the DeepWater expedition led by the University of Geneva to better understand effects of climate change on the ocean. Planet Solar is making three stops in the United States in Miami, New York and Boston.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130610/NE28569)

Together with PlanetSolar and the University of Geneva, swissnex Boston is hosting a series of educational, business and media events about solar technology and climate change, featuring partners from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Boston Children's Museum, Greentown Labs, Museum of Science Boston and the MIT Energy Club.

Private and public scheduled events include:

• A below-deck Media Event featuring PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition Project Leader Professor Martin Beniston, the PlanetSolar scientific team, and other representatives from the University of Geneva and Boston;
• A Swiss-Boston Clean Tech Night of Networking with leaders from clean tech, government,
  innovation and academia;
• "Build your own solar boat" children's workshops at Boston Children's Museum;
• DeepWater expedition presentation at the Museum of Science, Boston;
• "From the Alps to the Atlantic: Water in a changing climate," a scientific conference with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

For a complete list of event dates, times and details, please visit www.swissnexboston.org/planetsolar.

To follow the University of Geneva PlanetSolar DeepWater Expedition as it travels along the Gulf Stream en route to Boston, visit http://www.planetsolar.org/deepwater/?lang=en.

"Boston is a perfect port of call for the University of Geneva's PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition based on the city's strong commitment to clean energy, technology innovation and cutting-edge research," said Consul Felix Moesner, swissnex Boston director. "swissnex Boston is proud to bring together such a venerable group of global leaders in the Switzerland and Boston scientific and educational communities to discuss clean energy ideas and applications for existing technologies." 

"This project utterly reflects our University's missions as it combines education, research and public awareness. It makes perfect sense that Geneva is involved in such a project. The city of Calvin is indeed the cradle of global governance and a research hub where key climate change related issues are discussed by international organizations and world decision-makers," said Jean-Dominique Vassalli, rector of the University of Geneva.

For more information about swissnex Boston, please contact Lia Breunig at 617-876-3076 ex 113; [email protected].

To register to attend the June 24 Media Event, please contact Dawn Sullivan at 781-893-0053, [email protected].

About the University of Geneva
Founded in 1559 by Jean Calvin and Theodore de Beze, the University of Geneva is the second largest Haute ecole in Switzerland and is amongst the top 100 best universities in the world. The institution enjoys worldwide recognition and is highly opened to the world. Every year the University welcomes around 16, 000 students in its eight faculties teaching science, medecine, humanities, social and economic sciences, law, theology, psychology and educational sciences, translation and interpreting. The University of Geneva has three missions: education, research and knowledge-sharing. The University has been a member of the League of European Research-intensive Universities since 2002. www.unige.ch

About PlanetSolar
The MS Turanor PlanetSolar, built in Kiel, Germany in 2010, is a catamaran powered exclusively by solar energy. PlanetSolar completed the first solar-powered trip around the world on May 4, 2012 after travelling over 60,000 km in 584 days. The 2013 PlanetSolar features an entirely new crew from its 2012 expedition: Gerard d'Aboville (Captain), Stephane Marseille (Second), Antoine Simon (electrical engineer), and Hugo Buratti (seaman and steward). During the "PlanetSolar DeepWater" expedition, the UNIGE scientific team will round out the crew. PlanetSolar SA is supported by the University of Geneva, Ciel electricite, Switcher, the Swiss AOC-IGP Association, Younicos, Plantbacter, Actides, GoPro, Jean-Rene Germanier SA, BCCC Avocats, Tempur, Hempel, Presence Suisse, Energissima, l'UIM, YELLO, and Waste Free Oceans. www.planetsolar.org

About swissnex Boston
Established as the world's first "science consulate," swissnex Boston is the first of a global network of five knowledge outposts including San Francisco, Singapore, China and India. Since 2000, swissnex Boston has served as a partner to New England businesses, universities, incubators and venture capital firms, uncovering Swiss parallels and collaboration opportunities in the fields of science, education, art and innovation.

SOURCE swissnex Boston