Research Report - 2001
Solar Racing Team
ITEE Supervisor
Dr Geoff Walker
Email: walkerg@csee.uq.edu.au
Tel: 3365 3573
Team Project Manager
Ms Alana Maher
Email: uqsrt@pc.elec.uq.edu.au
Tel: 3365 3771
Webpages
http://www.uq.net.au/sunshark/
Sunshark
Early in 1994, four University of Queensland engineering students decided to design and construct a solar car. Their aim was to enter the 1996 World Solar Challenge, a 3000 kilometre solar vehicle endurance race from Darwin to Adelaide. They posted a few notices around the campus, announcing a meeting for interested students. That first meeting filled an entire lecture theatre. However, a solar car is not constructed overnight and much of the next year was consumed by the group's efforts to gather University and then corporate backing.
Eventually, SunShark was officially unveiled on the University grounds in August 1996 then went on to take its first World Solar Challenge. SunShark, averaging 64.87 km/h, finished less than an hour behind the fourth-placed Sun Challenger, and led the Australian contingent across the line. This represented a tremendous milestone for the development of alternative energy in Queensland. Not only did SunShark compete favourably against million dollar opposition; it won the silicon cell / lead acid class and was the first university entry across the line. The team was later awarded the General Motors (USA) technical innovation and achievement award, for the overall vehicle concept, aerodynamic design and unique suspension construction.
In August 1997, by special invitation from the race organisers, the team competed in its first overseas event - the World Solar Rally in Akita, Japan. Despite low light levels and trying conditions, the team equalled its previous placing of fifth overall, and first in its class. The Sydney to Melbourne CitiPower Sunrace held in January 1999, presented a very different challenge to the team. The 1800 km race was staged over seven days with approximately 250km daily runs from Sydney to Melbourne. For this race, substantial upgrades to the car's systems were tested, including a new solar array featuring an advanced composite encapsulation technique, a direct drive wheel motor with a carbon fibre casing, new lead acid batteries, and revised electronic systems. Unresolved technical difficulties led to continuing problems during this race (and many sleepless nights!). However the team still managed an impressive second place. More importantly, this race was a very valuable learning experience for the team, and led to the development of a new electrical system. In October 1999, the team returned to the World Solar Challenge with a new level of maturity, experience, and professionalism. With previous technical problems now resolved, Sunshark performed at its full potential, finishing third overall and only 50 minutes behind the winners. Once again, Sunshark won the GM award for technical innovation and achievement. This award recognised the custom-built electrical system, and innovative use of composite materials in the vehicle components, particularly the wheel motor casing and solar array. Sunshark's most recent success was winning the 2000 Sydney to Melbourne Whirlpool Sunrace against Australia's best solar cars in January 2000. Sunshark regularly achieved speeds exceeding 100 kmh, and was among a number of cars that broke a previous world record by maintaining an average speed of 103 kmh over 100km. Achieving first place in this race is the culmination of six years of hard work by students and graduates, and has brought an enormous amount of well- deserved media attention.
As a mature and professional team with a proven vehicle, Sunshark is now in an excellent position to continue competing in races worldwide. The Sunshark team is also embarking on a new project to transfer the technology of solar racing vehicles to environmentally friendly, practical commuter vehicles.
Sustainable Commuter Vehicle Project
Following on from their success with the SunShark solar car, core team members of the UQ Solar Racing Team have moved into postgraduate research studies, forming the UQ Sustainable Vehicle Research Unit (UQSVR) within the School of ITEE. From an extensive history of experience with sustainable vehicles, this group has developed a number of innovative technologies, with the central goal of implementing these technologies in real-world vehicle applications. As a showcase for their research, the UQSVR members are undergoing the design and construction of a demonstration prototype vehicle.
This highly efficient, yet practical, sustainable commuter vehicle will feature many design concepts proposed in the HypercarSM concept by the Rocky Mountain Institute. These include:
Ultra-lightweight construction using advanced composite materials and lightweight metal alloys
Low drag design to drastically reduce aerodynamic and rolling resistance
Advanced electric drivetrain
Integrated electronics
Energy-efficient accessories and other vehicle systems
This advanced prototype vehicle will be used for:
Generation of awareness of sustainable vehicle technologies at automotive industry conventions, motor-shows, racing events, etc.
Competition in a new racing class within the World Solar Challenge, Australia's premiere solar vehicle racing event.
A rolling test-bed for future research and technology development and within UQSVR.
In cooperation with partner industrial companies, the demonstration vehicle will also facilitate the development of a production capable sustainable commuter vehicle suitable for market, and the establishment of a sustainable vehicle industry within Australia.
Personnel involved in the project will include:
Research staff and students from the School of ITEE, UQ, mostly members of UQSVR.
Collaborative research partners from other research institutions - partnership has already been arranged with South Bank University, London, UK and the Rocky Mountain Institute, Colorado, USA.
Other UQ departments and faculties, with which opportunities fo cooperation have been identified
The majority of research & development, design and construction work will occur in the new UQSVR riverside laboratory at UQ, currently under construction and due for completion in July 2001. The project will be conducted over a period of approximately two years, commencing mid-2001, with a target completion date of October 2003 for the World Solar Challenge. Anticipated total costs for completion of this project are estimated at $300 000. The UQSVR group is seeking financial support, both cash and in-kind, to allow this innovative project to be fully undertaken and completed.
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