It's Possible in Shell's Unique Student Competition
Shell Eco-Marathon Americas inspires
top young engineers from 24 schools in the U.S. and Canada in a
challenge to take place April 13-14 at the California Speedway in
Fontana, California. The goal of the event is to build a vehicle which
will achieve the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel.
After
more than 20 successful years in Europe and the United Kingdom, the
world-renowned Shell Eco-marathon is coming to the United States. The
Shell Eco-marathon Americas will showcase a lineup of futuristic,
eco-friendly vehicles competing to travel the farthest distance on the
least amount of fuel. The student project, which invites student teams
from across the Americas to design and build the most energy-efficient
vehicle, concludes this weekend, April 13 -14, 2007, with a two-day
mileage challenge at the California Speedway in Fontana, California.
Last year, a student team from Europe achieved the equivalent of 6,792
miles to the gallon.
"As a leading provider of fuels today,
we believe it's important to encourage education and awareness about
sustainable mobility," said David Sexton, president of Shell Oil
Products U.S. "We've made it a priority to support today's top young
scientists and technicians as they develop creative ideas that could
help solve real energy problems and influence the transportation of
tomorrow."
Teams are comprised of about eight student engineers working together
to build prototype vehicles with three or four wheels using
conventional fuels or alternative fuels or energy sources such as
liquid petroleum gas, biofuels, compressed natural gas, hydrogen or
solar. A grand prize of $10,000, worldwide bragging rights, and the
chance to make history will be awarded to the educational institution
or university whose student-driven vehicle travels the farthest
distance using the least amount of fuel. There are also first, second
and third prizes awarded in three vehicle categories. Thirty teams from
across the U.S. and Canada are are vying for the title of the most
fuel-efficient vehicle in North America.
Throughout the entire process, the Shell Eco-marathon offers students -
who are interested in the world of technology, energy and transport - a
unique opportunity to work hands-on to identify possible solutions for
meeting future energy needs.
"Shell
has one of the broadest fuel portfolios, and vast experience in
developing innovative and new fuels to meet society needs," added
Sexton. "Educating our young people about sustainable mobility is
critical to achieving energy security for the future. Shell is proud to
provide students with an educational platform to explore and experiment
with technology and fuels, and to develop creative and inventive
mobility solutions through the Shell Eco-marathon project."
From vehicle design to financing, student participants gain hands-on
experience managing their project and applying skills in science,
technology, mathematics, business and design. Along the way, they
demonstrate hard work, creativity and ingenuity, while addressing one
of the most pressing issues in today's society: sustainable mobility.
Currently,
the 2007 European Shell Eco-marathon is set to be the biggest ever,
with more than 250 teams from educational institutions in 20 different
countries. The key challenge for each team is not only to create the
most fuel-efficient vehicle, but also to beat the European Shell
Eco-marathon fuel-efficiency records. For combustion engine entries,
the record was set in 2004 by the team from Lycee La Joliverie, France,
who reached 3,410 kilometers (2,118 miles) on just one liter of fuel.
For proto-type vehicles using fuel cells, the record is even more
impressive with a hydrogen-powered vehicle built by Swiss team ETH
Zurich in 2005 achieving a projected 3,836 kilometers (2,383 miles) on
the equivalent of a single liter of fuel. The 2007 European Shell
Eco-marathon event will be held at the Nogaro Racing Circuit in the
South of France on May 11-13, 2007.
The Shell Eco-marathon is
just one example of the initiatives Shell is pursuing in the area of
innovation and technology related to sustainable mobility. Shell has
invested more than $1 billion in alternative energies over the past
five years, making it one of the world's leading companies in the
sector. In addition to the thousands of scientists that Shell employs
around the world, Shell has appointed a Chief Technology Officer, seven
Chief Scientists and established a high-level forum to ensure that
Shell continues to innovate at the forefront of the industry. Shell is
also proud to be working in partnership with vehicle manufacturers,
governments, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations
to develop innovative ideas and attainable solutions to meet the
growing demands of energy for transportation.
More information, including a complete list of student teams, is available at www.shell.com/us/ecomarathon.
CAPTIONS (All photos by Bob Riha Jr., courtesy of Shell Eco-Marathon Americas.):
Top:
Down to the wire, U.C. Berkeley Super Mileage Vehicle team members (L
to R) Ryan Pinto, Olek Peewlowski and Zaw Aung Moe collaborate on one
of many technical details inivolved in the development of their
ultra-mileage combustion engine vehicle for the Shell Eco-marathon
Americas challenge.
Middle: U.C. Berkeley
Super Mileage Vehicle team prepares their combustion engine vehicle for
one of many practice runs to take place prior to this week's Shell
Eco-marathon Americas challenge.
Bottom: U.C.
Berkeley Super Mileage Vehicle team members (L to R) Mike Watson,
Andrew Chang (in car) and Michael Siedel test their ultra-mileage
combustion engine vehicle outside the team's workshop in preparation
for the Shell Eco-Marathon Americas challenge.