Team ASCEND does Deakin proud in solar challenge

DEAKIN University’s Team ASCEND is riding high after a gallant effort at the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC).

The university’s BWSC entrant in the Cruiser Class made it almost two-thirds of the way from Darwin to Adelaide, before a strong headwind on day four out of six slowed progress and ultimately drained the battery of the solar-spowered car, causing it to fall just short of the coming charging point.

“Day four saw us attempt the gruelling Alice Springs to Coober Pedy leg,” Deakin technical lead Nigel Petrie said.

“We were hopeful the weather gods would be kind to us, but a strong headwind played havoc on our battery consumption.”

The BWSC Cruiser Class race regulations stipulate entrants need to complete set distances powered only by solar, which was not the case for Team ASCEND’s wind-hampered car.

At the end of day four, a large portion of Cruiser Class entries had suffered similar fates.

“The car and team performance have exceeded all of our expectations, and it has been a pleasure to see the student team realise their aspirations,” Deakin’s head of the School of Engineering Professor Ben Horan said.

“I am confident that this experience will have a formative impact on their emerging careers as future engineers.”

Team manager and lecturer in Engineering Matt Jennings said it was an amazing experience.

“The breadth of skills required to participate in the challenge was broad.

“To see it come to fruition was inspiring.

“Particularly to see the teams’ resilience in facing whatever was thrown at them was the most rewarding part for me.”

From the field of 31 vehicles that left Darwin – 23 in the Projecta Challenger Class and eight in the Cruiser class – only 12 Challengers completed the full 3,022km course, and six Cruisers remained in contention going into the judging.

 

 

“We congratulate Team ASCEND on their successful entry in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and for making it more than halfway across Australia’s Red Centre as a first-time entrant,” ACCIONA general manager of brand and marketing Caroline Boomes said.

“Being able to accompany the team as sponsor, and witness the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed this week highlights the immense endurance challenge that this event presents.”

Deakin acting vice-chancellor Professor Liz Johnson said Team ASCEND could be proud of their efforts.

“To design, build, and drive a fully functional solar car is no mean feat.”

“Thousands of hours of hard work and dedication by almost 1,000 students across many different streams embodies what Deakin is about – innovation, teamwork, persistence and thought leadership.

“On behalf of the entire Deakin community, I congratulate Professor Ben Horan, Matt Jennings and all the students involved in the 2023 solar challenge.”

Line honours from the BWSC went to Belgium’s ‘Innoptus in Ininite’, thanks to its futuristic fin for stability and aerodynamics.