Deakin Engineering and ACCIONA Energía have partnered to enter a vehicle in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge
innovation.
collaboration.
elevation.
Deakin University and ACCIONA Energía have partnered to design and build a solar powered vehicle for the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge – a 3000 km race from Darwin to Adelaide.
For ACCIONA Energía, building a competitive solar powered vehicle is an opportunity to substantiate the power of renewable energy in innovative projects; for Deakin it is a platform to showcase strengths in additive manufacturing, engineering design and product development, and to provide exceptional learning experiences. This will be the first time Deakin has entered a vehicle in the World Solar Car Challenge.
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a road race featuring solar power cars from entrants all over the world. The challenge is open to students from universities and high schools, allowing upcoming engineering minds to work in a team to push the boundaries of technology, and make advancements in renewal energy. The race spans 3,000km from Darwin to Adelaide across the harsh conditions of central Australia pushing the cars to their limits.
Support the ASCEND team as they prepare for the challenge in October 2023.
COLLABORATION
Deakin students collaborate with Academics and ACCIONA Energía experts to design and build a cruiser class solar powered car for the World Solar Challenge
Briefed to create an aerodynamic vehicle capable of traversing central Australia’s rugged terrain, students and academics used additive manufacturing to design and build the vehicle body and to construct complex automotive parts not easily produced through composite methodologies.
Design
The ASCEND solar vehicle’s streamlined profile and high impact-resistant panels optimise efficiency and support solar cell placement.
Materials
The chassis is engineered to comply with WSC regulations, complete with one-piece carbon fibre wheels produced by global technology company and Deakin start-up, Carbon Revolution.
Innovation
Innovative techniques have been used to develop 3D printed titanium components have been fabricated to provide the optimal lightweight design for strength and agility.
ELEVATION
Deakin and ACCIONA Energía are elevating the student experience by providing a hands-on, real world challenge
Since 2019, the ASCEND Solar Car Project has engaged more than 900 students representing disciplines ranging from mechanical, electrical and aerodynamics engineering to information technology, business, marketing and communication. Participation in this real world project gives students hands-on experience and an embedded knowledge of how industry works. Follow the students ASCEND journey through our social channels.
News & EVENTS
Learn more about the ASCEND Road to the World Solar Car Challenge in 2023
ASCEND
Road to WSC Episode 5
Follow the ASCEND journey to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
In this episode, the ASCEND team is testing the capabilities of the car in a real-world environment. Bringing them one step closer to participating in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
Participation in this project gives students the opportunity to work on real-world problems, get hands-on experience and an embedded knowledge of how industry works.