Team Bath Autonomous Sailing (TBAS) is an engineering student team, developing autonomous sailing vessels that can generate renewable energy while at sea. They are creating efficient, reliable energy-generation systems that can be mounted on a boat and operate in changing marine conditions.
The project represents an exciting new direction for green energy. It combines autonomous sailing, advanced turbine design and maritime engineering. Unlike fixed offshore infrastructure, autonomous vessels can navigate towards more favourable wind conditions. This would help it to generate energy more consistently.
The team also aims to start an inter-university sailing competition. This will create a practical testing ground for new maritime technologies. And it will give students the opportunity to develop innovative solutions in a real-world setting.
'I was drawn to TBAS because it is an open-ended project with the potential to make a real impact. It also offers valuable opportunities to develop leadership and people-management skills that are not always embedded within engineering courses. Unlike some teams where students may struggle to contribute meaningfully, TBAS enables members to take ownership of their work and make a genuine difference to the project.' — Oliver Strong, MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering
From ideas to turbine concepts
TBAS’s Energy Generation Team is working to develop and test two different energy-generation concepts for its boats. They began by assessing the pre-existing underwater turbine and defining the system requirements. This spurred them on to generate and review a range of possible designs.
Following research and collaborative discussions, the team selected three concepts for further development. These included:
- ducted and toroidal turbine designs
- refining a pump-jet turbine
- improving the existing turbine’s ducting
The aim is to have two operational concepts for testing by the end of the summer.
The project has evolved with support from industry. Initially, they were focused on developing a vessel capable of an autonomous Atlantic crossing. They have refined this to using autonomous sailing technology to optimise renewable-energy generation.
Working with industry
Industry engagement is at the heart of TBAS. The project is sponsored by Bath-based, clean-energy start-up, DRIFT Energy. They also work with other maritime partners including BAR and Offset Engineering.
DRIFT Energy has provided the boats and ongoing technical support. Industry partners have helped the team refine its goals and understand how its work could contribute to the wider energy and maritime sectors. A potential mentoring arrangement will provide valuable guidance as the project progresses.
This project gives the team insight into how complex engineering projects are managed from concept to delivery. They can apply engineering processes used in industry, including requirement-setting, structured workflows and project timelines.
Building a team from the ground up
What began as an ambitious idea between two students has rapidly developed into TBAS. They now have more than 60 members sharing an interest in maritime innovation. Building a new team from the ground up has been as much of a challenge as designing the vessel itself. They have had to create processes, and define responsibilities and direction as the project evolves.
This early-stage environment gives students an unusual opportunity to shape the team’s future. As there is no precedent, members can contribute ideas, take ownership and make a visible difference to the team’s progress.
Collaboration has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. Students from different engineering disciplines bring varied technical knowledge, perspectives and problem-solving approaches. It’s a basis for lively discussions and innovative solutions. Team meetings provide a space to test ideas, address challenges and learn from more experienced peers. And along the way they have built a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
Rapid growth also brings challenges. Coordinating a large group involves lots of balancing workloads and maintaining momentum. Ensuring all members feel included requires clear communication, effective time management and confident leadership.
The team must work carefully to turn broad ideas into achievable tasks, manage resources and meet demanding deadlines. TBAS is enabling students to experience practical teamwork, leadership and project-management. All skills that are valuable to engineering careers.
A platform for sustainable innovation
TBAS supports the global need for cleaner energy and climate action. It is exploring how autonomous vessels could unlock new approaches to renewable-energy generation. It is also one of the University’s few maritime engineering teams and its only surface-vessel team.
As the team moves from concept development towards design, manufacture and testing, its members are helping to create not only a new engineering project, but also a community of future engineers ready to tackle the sustainability challenges ahead.