English 
Spanish 
5 min read
0 comments
UFPA and Norte Energia develop the Poraquê, the first electric and sustainable boat in the Amazon, powered by clean energy and urban mobility, reducing CO₂ emissions.
UFPA, in partnership with Norte Energia, announced the development of the first electric boat in the Amazon, highlighting the commitment to clean energy and urban mobility. This electric boat represents a significant advance in the decarbonization of river transport in the region, contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.
In addition to the electric boat, the project includes a sustainable catamaran and other river vehicles, such as the electric boat, capable of transporting up to 2 passengers daily. This significant step, in addition to promoting sustainability, demonstrated that it is possible to integrate technological innovation and environmental preservation in urban mobility in the Amazon region.
Belém Inaugurates the Poraquê, a Sustainable Catamaran
The city of Belém, in Pará, presents the Poraquê, a modern, sustainable, fully electric catamaran. Powered by clean and renewable energy, the electric boat is the result of a collaborative project between Norte Energia, the concessionaire of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant, and the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The name 'Poraquê' is a reference to the electric fish, typical of the Amazon rivers, emphasizing the power and innovation of the electric river vehicle.
- Renewable sources, on the verge of an energy revolution, dominating in Brazil by 2028!
- The Northeast will become one of the most important regions in the WORLD after the arrival of a mega-investment of R$111 billion for the production of the fuel of the future
- Tiles that generate solar energy and reduce the price of your electricity bill: produced in Brazil, a house needs around 150 tiles
- New solar panels are so cheap that they are being used as walls that generate energy. In addition, the installation cost is much lower than installing them on roofs.
Context and Importance of the Project in the Amazon
Norte Energia's decision to develop this electric vessel is directly linked to the fact that the largest river basin in the world is in the Amazon. In this vast region, boats play a crucial role, being the main means of transport for riverside populations. However, many of these vessels still depend on fossil fuels, such as diesel, which result in the emission of tons of CO₂ and increase financial costs for local communities. 'By supporting the project, we promote scientific advancement in the region and offer the population efficient alternatives for energy management', says Andréia Antloga, Research, Development and Innovation Manager at Norte Energia. The Poraquê's inaugural voyage took place on the Guamá River, which runs through the UFPA campus, and was attended by professors and students.
Amazon Multimodal Intelligent System: Ecological Integration
This electric boat is part of the SIMA (Intelligent Multimodal System of the Amazon), which also includes two electric buses operating on the university campus. The combination of these two modes of transport promises to serve 2 people daily and is expected to reduce 161 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to the pollution generated by 30 popular cars in one year. Specifically, the sustainable catamaran will prevent the emission of 100 tons of greenhouse gases per year. The boat is powered by photovoltaic solar energy and incorporates technological advances such as two 12 KW electric motors each, three sets of 47 kW batteries and 22 photovoltaic panels installed on your roof.
Electric Boat Specifications and Technological Innovation
The vessel measures 12 meters long, 6 meters wide and 72 centimeters in draft, with an autonomy of 8 hours without needing to recharge. To support this sustainable project, a electric charging station on the campus pier, powered by the energy of the mini plants built by the university. The study for the development of SIMA began in 2019, involving around 30 researchers, professors and students from UFPA, and is part of a Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) program by Norte Energia, regulated by National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). The hull design, made of naval aluminum, considered the additional weight of the battery and engine systems for its operation on the Amazon rivers, resulting in a boat with a total weight of 7 tons, one of which is just batteries.
Scientific Contributions and Challenges of the Project
UFPA Vice-Rector Gilmar Pereira da Silva emphasizes that in addition to being a technological achievement, the electric boat represents a laboratory for the university. 'Our expectation is that this project will stimulate the development of new vehicles and that, soon, 10% to 20% of the boats in our region will be powered by clean energy,' he says. Professor Emanuel Loureiro, who led the project at UFPA, highlights the challenges faced in integrating technologies available on the market that would meet the needs of weight, autonomy, speed and transport capacity. The boat also has a command center for managing battery energy and the photovoltaic system, ensuring efficient power for locomotion.
Inclusion and Accessibility on the Sustainable Catamaran
The Poraquê has the capacity to transport 25 people, including 23 passengers and two crew members, and also has space for wheelchair users, with access platforms at the three embarkation and disembarkation points. The expectation is to serve one thousand passengers per day, including students, university staff and users of the institution's services. The boat will sail 750 meters along the Guamá River, stopping at the Mirante do Rio building, the university restaurants and the UFPA health sector. The crossing should take 15 minutes, covering 40 km throughout the day, at an average speed of 13 km/h.
The First Green Corridor in the Amazon
In addition to operating within the UFPA campus, the two electric buses currently transport teachers and students from the capital to the Castanhal campus, contributing to forming the first green corridor in the Amazon. The battery of the electric buses is charged at electric charging stations installed in both fields. SIMA also includes the Norte Rotas app, allowing users to access real-time information to plan their bus or electric boat journeys. Complementing the project, a photovoltaic system was implemented in the Mirante do Rio building, designed to be self-sufficient in energy, in accordance with the 'Zero Energy' Building concept.
Source: © pedro.pinheiro@fsb.com.br
