By Meghaa Gangahar
The ever-growing need for energy has egged on a greater and more urgent need for shifting to renewable sources of energy.
With depleting fossil fuels and the pressing issue of climate change, a switch to renewable energy is the need of the hour.
There is an ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, albeit a slow one. The industrial sector remains the greatest primary consumer of fossil fuels, though transportation is among the top guzzlers.
A revolution in renewable energy
A recent revolution in solar powered modes of transportation is quite literally accelerating Indias movement along the path towards its renewable energy goal. 2017 has witnessed the launch of Indias first solar-powered boat, which will run between Vaikom and Thavanakkadavu in Kerala. While a solar boat tested the waters, land vehicles are also ready to scale the terrain.
Aditya is a solar-powered ferry operating between Vaikkom and Thavanakkadavu in the Indian state of Kerala. | Photo Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle[su_pullquote align=”right”]Gathering support from many corporates, the R. V. College of Engineering’s Solar Car Team has set the wheels in motion to build one of Indias most efficient solar cars.[/su_pullquote]
In 2013, born out of brainstorming sessions to deal with the global energy crisis, a Solar Car Team from R. V. College of Engineering began the arduous task of building solar-powered vehicles. The team of twenty was comprised entirely of students who worked together to build the prototype model Soleblaze, which was the only Indian model to participate in the World Solar Challenge, 2015. The success of the prototype has encouraged the team to build an updated version of the car. This project has set its goal to create a technology which maximizes the power in every charge. It aims to use the sun as its main source of energy while recovering some kinetic energy from the vehicle itself. Working in sync are the sub-teams functioning in the electrical, electronic and mechanical departments. The technical teams work with the sponsorship and logistics teams to combine innovation with finance. This is how the idea turns into a reality. Gathering support from many corporates, such as Wipro, IBM, Sunpower, and HHV Solar among others, the RVCE Solar Car Team has set the wheels in motion to build one of Indias most efficient solar cars.
RVCE’s solar car prototype Soleblaze is accelerating the renewable energy revolution. | Photo Courtesy: Solarcar-RVCEThe road ahead
[su_pullquote align=”right”]RVCE’s ideas and the innovation-fuelled journey set an example in pioneering new sustainable technologies and is a step forward towards a greener future.[/su_pullquote]
The Prototype 2.0 is being developed to race in the World Solar Challenge 2017. It will compete in Australia with several international entries from world renowned institutions. The teams ambition is to achieve the goal of building Indias most advanced Solar Electric Vehicle. Their strategy is to include cutting-edge technologies, which will set them apart and distinguish this from anything that has been done before. Incorporating features, such as cloud computing, reducing aerodynamic drag, and unique solar encapsulation techniques have played to their advantage. The team has been successful in making their mark by winning the prestigious Dr. AIT competition and participating in various events such as the Zinnov Confluence and the Indian Innovation Summit in 2016. They aspire to set an example in pioneering new sustainable technologies, especially for the current and future generations of keen young adults in India. Their ideas and the innovation-fuelled journey is nothing but a step forward towards a more sustainable and greener future.
Featured Image Source: Ashes Sitoula via Unsplash
[su_note note_color=”#d2eaf6″]Fresh insights delivered to your phone each morning. Download our Android App today![/su_note]