Rob Beckers
4th October 2013, 07:53
The annual World Solar Challenge (http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/) 2013 is about to start in Australia. This is a pretty amazing race; 3000 km through the Australian Outback, and doing it all on solar energy!
Most of the teams are from universities around the world, including three from The Netherlands (full disclosure: I'm Dutch!). My Alma Mater, Twente University, is there as well. In the past the Dutch have won this race several times.
For the first time there will be two categories this year: The single-seater that's all about speed, and the two-seat car that tries to emulate actual transportation more than speed. Contestants are allowed 5 kWh in energy from non-solar sources (about 10% of their needs), the rest has to come from the sun.
These cars are all about aerodynamics, the highest efficiency PV cells, and speed (yes). Despite appearances, they move fast! The winner runs this race at an average speed of 60 km/h, and top speeds of some of the cars exceed 130 km/h!
There are a number of rules:
As the race is over public roads, the cars have to adhere to the normal traffic regulations; however, there is a special note in the official regulations remarking on the tendency of drivers to take advantage of a favourable road camber in order to capture the maximum amount of solar energy. After midday when the sun is in the west, it would be advantageous to drive on the right side of the highway, provided, of course, there is no traffic in opposite direction.
A minimum of 2 and maximum 4 drivers have to be registered. If the weight of a driver (including clothes) is less than 80 kg (180 lb), ballast will be added to make up the difference.
Driving time is between 8:00 and 17:00 (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). In order to select a suitable place for the overnight stop (alongside the highway) it is possible to extend the driving period for a maximum of 10 minutes, which extra driving time will be compensated by a starting time delay the next day.
At various points along the route there are checkpoints where every car has to pause for 30 minutes. Only limited maintenance tasks (no repairs) are allowed during these compulsory stops.
The capacity of the batteries is limited to a mass for each chemistry (such as Lithium Ion) equivalent to approximately 5 kWh maximum. At the start of the race, the batteries may be fully charged. Batteries may not be replaced during the competition, except in the situation of a breakdown. However, in that case a penalty time will apply.
Except for the maximum outer dimensions, there are no further restrictions on the design and construction of the car.
The deceleration of the dual braking system must be at least 3.8 m/s^2 (149.6 in/s^2).
It is all about strategy. If it is sunny, or sun is available further down the road, they can drive fast. During times with less or no sun energy needs to be preserved.
These cars have the most energy efficient electrical motors available (http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Reducing-GHG/Solar-cars-use-CSIRO-motor.aspx#a1) (build right into the hub of the wheel), with 98% efficiency. Really quite amazing technology.
Check it out!
-RoB-
Most of the teams are from universities around the world, including three from The Netherlands (full disclosure: I'm Dutch!). My Alma Mater, Twente University, is there as well. In the past the Dutch have won this race several times.
For the first time there will be two categories this year: The single-seater that's all about speed, and the two-seat car that tries to emulate actual transportation more than speed. Contestants are allowed 5 kWh in energy from non-solar sources (about 10% of their needs), the rest has to come from the sun.
These cars are all about aerodynamics, the highest efficiency PV cells, and speed (yes). Despite appearances, they move fast! The winner runs this race at an average speed of 60 km/h, and top speeds of some of the cars exceed 130 km/h!
There are a number of rules:
As the race is over public roads, the cars have to adhere to the normal traffic regulations; however, there is a special note in the official regulations remarking on the tendency of drivers to take advantage of a favourable road camber in order to capture the maximum amount of solar energy. After midday when the sun is in the west, it would be advantageous to drive on the right side of the highway, provided, of course, there is no traffic in opposite direction.
A minimum of 2 and maximum 4 drivers have to be registered. If the weight of a driver (including clothes) is less than 80 kg (180 lb), ballast will be added to make up the difference.
Driving time is between 8:00 and 17:00 (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). In order to select a suitable place for the overnight stop (alongside the highway) it is possible to extend the driving period for a maximum of 10 minutes, which extra driving time will be compensated by a starting time delay the next day.
At various points along the route there are checkpoints where every car has to pause for 30 minutes. Only limited maintenance tasks (no repairs) are allowed during these compulsory stops.
The capacity of the batteries is limited to a mass for each chemistry (such as Lithium Ion) equivalent to approximately 5 kWh maximum. At the start of the race, the batteries may be fully charged. Batteries may not be replaced during the competition, except in the situation of a breakdown. However, in that case a penalty time will apply.
Except for the maximum outer dimensions, there are no further restrictions on the design and construction of the car.
The deceleration of the dual braking system must be at least 3.8 m/s^2 (149.6 in/s^2).
It is all about strategy. If it is sunny, or sun is available further down the road, they can drive fast. During times with less or no sun energy needs to be preserved.
These cars have the most energy efficient electrical motors available (http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Reducing-GHG/Solar-cars-use-CSIRO-motor.aspx#a1) (build right into the hub of the wheel), with 98% efficiency. Really quite amazing technology.
Check it out!
-RoB-