Fueling an alternative at EcoCAR competition

by Patrick Carroll and Ben Gaffney.

The University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) has just completed the EcoCAR 2 competition and has been accepted into the next competition in the series, EcoCAR 3.

This past June, the University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) was at the General Motors proving grounds in Milford, Michigan to take part in the final evaluation of the EcoCAR 2 competition; a North American engineering collegiate competition sponsored by the US Department of Energy and General Motors. Competing against 14 other schools from across North America, UWAFT looked to make a car that was innovative, eco-friendly and performance driven while maintaining consumer acceptability. This vision was realized through a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, converted into a Series Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.  The car can run on pure electricity as well as E85, a biofuel that burns cleaner than regular gasoline and can be made from corn or sugar cane. The idea is that one day, eco-cars such as UWAFT’s will become a standard design in the automotive industry.

The EcoCAR2 competition, which took place from June 1 to 12, enabled teams to compete in several technical, business and communications events. The vehicles underwent engineering tests to determine readiness for production, and moreover prove the viability of the advanced technology vehicles. At General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground for the year three competition, UWAFT had worked alongside a dedicated GM technician fixing any last minute issues which arose during vehicle testing and refinement. A lot of work was put in in only a few short days! However, during one event, the car’s belted generator system suffered a catastrophic failure when the idler pulley broke. The team pushed on to complete as many events as possible, and performed well during the accompanying design presentations by impressing many high ranking engineers and executives. A lot of lessons were learned from the EcoCAR 2 competition, and the team is eager to draw on these for years to come.

On top of technical work, a recently developed partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University allowed UWAFT to expand the business and communications areas of the team. The business team has been helpful in securing sponsorships, managing human resources and budget tracking while the outreach team continuously hosts events. Being one of two Canadian teams chosen for the competition, continuously reaches out to the local Waterloo community and its surrounding areas.

UWAFT recently held an event called EcoFest at the Waterloo Region Museum to showcase EcoCAR and help convey the team’s ideas, inventions and passion with the public. The event consisted of interactive exhibits, with information about the car, but also presented the overall project that the team had been working on. The team of engineers was present at the event to provide a thorough run through of the technology and mechanisms that help the car run efficiently.

Although these may seem like nominal tasks compared to building a car, these two sub-teams have been key to keeping work on track throughout the competition.

In the upcoming EcoCAR3 competition, students will be challenged to redesign a Chevrolet Camaro into a hybrid-electric car that will reduce environmental impact, while maintaining performance. Teams will be tasked to incorporate innovative ideas, solve complex engineering challenges, and apply the latest cutting-edge technologies. This model is already the most technologically advanced Camaro in the vehicle’s history, and participating teams have 4 years to integrate their own ideas, meeting engineering, environmental and economic goals.

 

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Renison's new principal starts work

Professor Wendy Fletcher takes up her post as principal of Renison University College today.

An experienced administrator and professor, Professor Fletcher has held a number of positions at the Vancouver School of Theology at the University of British Columbia, including professor, dean and principal. Her previous experience includes as professor and lecturer at Huron University College and Western University. She holds a PhD from the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto, a master of divinity with honours from Huron University College, and a BA from Western University.

Along with her duties as principal, Professor Fletcher will assume the role of director of international and cross-cultural development, and will support the development of language programs and cultural studies for Waterloo's international students or those wishing to work or study abroad.

 

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