Shell Eco-marathon
Shell Eco-Marathon challenges students around the world to design, build, test and drive ultra-energy-efficient vehicles.
The race toward a zero-emission vehicle future has already started, with support from governments, car makers and a growing network of recharging stations. As electric and hydrogen cars become more mainstream, some students from 16 countries were further driven by a passion to achieve ultra-energy-efficiency in eco-cars as part of Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) Asia.
SEM is one of the world’s leading energy-efficiency competition programmes, where tertiary student teams put their theories to the test, using cutting-edge technology, critical thinking, and innovative ideas.
Held virtually for the first time, the Asian edition of the Off-track Awards sought excellence in communications, technical innovation, vehicle design, circular economy and safety.
SINGAPORE TEAMS RECOGNISED FOR ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT DESIGN
Amid intense competition from more than 100 submissions by 50 teams, 2 teams from the Little Red Dot were lauded for outstanding technical ingenuity and innovative design contributing to energy efficiency.
Zero hydrogen waste, maximum innovation
Self-developed technology that recycles unused hydrogen
Over the course of close to a year, the team successfully developed a purge-free system for a hydrogen fuel cell that overcame these conventional challenges.
- Zero hydrogen waste
- Improved energy efficiency
- Improves fuel economy
Powered by hydrogen fuel cell
It was no easy feat, given that hydrogen recycling typically consumes a considerable amount of power and such systems are usually too bulky for lightweight vehicles. The fuel cell can also recycle any unused hydrogen and only emitted water vapour.
Safety mechanism
It also incorporated a safety mechanism to prevent fire, in case of excess hydrogen building up in the vehicle.
Streamlined body design
Additionally, the car’s overall streamlined design further improved energy efficiency.
Press the marked areas to learn more about each
Zero hydrogen waste, maximum innovation H2 Challenger (Temasek Polytechnic) - Winner, Technical Innovation Award
For their ability to successfully convert hydrogen waste into clean energy that can power a race car, TP Eco Flash from Temasek Polytechnic received the Technical Innovation Award for their vehicle, H2 Challenger.
Download the H2 Challenger sketch
TP Eco Flash with their advisors and energy-conserving, purge-free hydrogen car
KILLER WHALE FOR A KILLER DESIGN
Killer whale-inspired body
NV-11 was fashioned after the shape of a killer whale, which is one of the fastest-swimming marine mammals.
- Streamlined, aerodynamic design
- Less air resistance, less energy required
Runs on electricity
It is a type of battery-electric vehicle.
Winning features:
These features contributed to good ergonomics and minimised air resistance:
- Ergonomics: snug, bucket-style seating
- Tandem seating for urban settings
Continuous improvement
The previous model, NV X, set a record of 94km/m3 (Hydrogen category) in Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2019.
Press the marked areas to learn more about each
Killer whale for a killer design Nanyang Venture 11 (NV-11, Nanyang Technological University) - Winner, Vehicle Design Award (Urban Concept)
The other Singapore team, Nanyang Autonomous Venture from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), emerged winner of the Vehicle Design Award (Urban Concept) for their fantastic vehicle design including amazing ergonomics and professionally-made interiors.
Download the Nanyang Venture-11 sketch
NV-11 Nanyang Autonomous Venture and their eco-car
NV-11 Nanyang Autonomous Venture and their eco-car
A REWARDING EXPEDITION WITH SEM ASIA
For both teams, SEM Asia holds a special place in their learning journey.
Taking part in SEM Asia has been a very fulfilling journey for our team and our advisors, and we are glad that we were able to see our hydrogen-powered vehicle in action before the Circuit Breaker in Singapore happened.
I remember the day when we first took over the car from our seniors and each of us did a test drive to understand areas for improvement. That experience got us really excited – a feeling that kept us going till the end.
“Taking part in Shell Eco-marathon has been a very fulfilling journey for our team and our advisors, and we are glad that we were able to see our hydrogen-powered vehicle in action before the Circuit Breaker in Singapore happened. Being able to be part of this year’s regional competition allowed us to test our ideas and come up with real-world solutions using clean energy. Our ability to effectively integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines – clean energy, electronics and mechatronics – to secure our win is certainly another plus,” said Chng Tze Chen, who is the student manager of TP Eco-Flash.
“I remember the day when we first took over the car from our seniors and each of us did a test drive to understand the areas for improvement. That experience got us really excited – a feeling that kept us going till the end, even when the COVID-19 pandemic meant that we could no longer compete on-track. Nonetheless, Shell Eco-marathon has provided a wonderful hands-on learning platform that allowed us to develop practical solutions to a present-day issue. We look forward to passing our knowledge on to subsequent NTU teams so that they can surpass and better our design,” said Peter Chong, Lead Driver, of NV11 Nanyang Autonomous Venture.
Through SEM, Shell demonstrates our firm belief that the answers to tomorrow’s energy challenges lies in the power of people’s ingenuity. We will continue to inspire and equip future generations of problem-solvers, leaders and innovators in order to tackle the energy challenges that face us all. #makethefuture
See event photos from Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2019
Temasek Polytechnic defending their title from SEM 2018 with the H2 Challenger, their Hydrogen-powered vehicle
Nanyang Technology University (NTU) with their Battery Electric vehicle Nanyang Venture XI and Hydrogen-powered Nanyang Venture X
Ngee Ann Polytechnic team manager and driver, Justin Wong, getting ready for action in their brand new Hydrogen car, Dark Mirage
Ngee Ann Polytechnic poised for race with their Urban Concept Battery Electric car, Black Sirius
Republic Polytechnic team raring to go with their upgraded UrbanConcept RPersonic V1
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