The World Solar Challenge
Mortgage Choice is proud to announce that the all-schoolgirls team it sponsored for the 2007 World Solar Challenge (WSC) achieved its key goal - reducing a car’s greenhouse emissions by 30%.
The 10 Annesley College students, aged 16 to 18 years, and a support team worked tirelessly over the last few months to convert a Holden Viva into a petrol/electric hybrid vehicle. The school was the only all-girl team to enter the bi-ennial event.
The WSC ran through the outback from Darwin to Adelaide from 21 to 28 October, stopping at towns including Katherine, Dunmarra, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Marree, Coober Pedy, Glendambo and Port Augusta. It motivates research and development into harnessing solar energy and other fuel sources for future transport needs.
The Annesley car, nicknamed ‘Lissie’, drove in the WSC Greenfleet Class, which was established to showcase fuel-efficient technologies and low carbon fuels. The car averaged around 10 amps at 90 km/h, ensuring a petrol usage of around 6-7 litres per 100 kilometres (with the air conditioning on, of course).
The team had a brilliant time, using instinct and knowledge learned before and during the trip (road inclines and curves, heavier or lighter pressure on the accelerator, more or less amps) to reach the ultimate precision in terms of fuel economy. They also found time to visit a number of famous landmarks along the way, such as the Devil’s Marbles.
Annesley College has participated in every WSC, excluding the inaugural race, since it began 20 years ago. This makes Annesley College the longest serving school and this year they were the only all-girl team.
The idea for the WSC originates from Danish born adventurer Hans Tholstrup. He was the first to circumnavigate the Australian continent in a 16 foot open boat. Later in life he became involved in various competitions with fuel saving cars and trucks and it was during this time that he became aware of the necessity to explore sustainable energy as a replacement for fossil fuels.
Tholstrup designed the world’s first solar car, called ‘Quiet Achiever’ and traversed the 4,052 kilometres between Sydney and Perth in 20 days – the precursor of the WSC.
Further information and photos from the girls’ trip are posted at: http://www.myspace.com/desert_queen_lissie