Students at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) unveiled this month Greece’s first solar-powered vessel, opening a new chapter towards the development of innovative and sustainable technologies for shipping.

The NTUA’s awarded-winning reasearch team Oceanos developed and presented “Nereon”, a boat which operates exclusively on solar energy, using a small auxiliary battery only for startup. Its high-performance photovoltaic panels and advanced hydrofoil design lift the hull above the water’s surface, significantly reducing drag and maximizing energy efficiency.

The Oceanos team of the National Technical University of Athens. Photo: Oceanos

“The evening was a true celebration of innovation, teamwork, and passion for marine technology,” the Oceanos team wrote on its Facebook page. “As we move forward, our focus turns to further developing Nereon and preparing for competition, ready to showcase the dedication and expertise that define our team.”

Founded in 2016, Oceanos NTUA consists of undergraduate and doctoral students from the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The team’s mission is to develop cutting-edge, eco-friendly solutions for the future of shipping.

Oceanos NTUA has already earned international recognition, winning first place at the prestigious Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Hydros Foundation, and the International Powerboating Federation. The competition gathers young engineers from around the world to design and race next-generation energy-efficient boats.

Earlier this year, Menelaos Raptis, a Greek physics student at Franklin & Marshall College, announced a groundbreaking discovery in cosmology: the detection of oxygen in two galaxies located 12 billion years away, a find that is reshaping scientific understanding of the early universe.