Both need a slick, light aerodynamic capsule for the driver, only the back part is different.
Student Vincent says the super-efficient ethanol-powered Apollo will be on the road within two weeks. The Shell Ecomarathon, in which it will compete, will be held in Rotterdam between 15 to 19 May. Vincent is one of the initiators of the Hogeschool Rootbox, a practical workshop comparable to the TU Delft’s Dreamhall, where the combi-vehicle was built.
The back part for the wind-powered vehicle Anemo will have to be much more sturdy and heavy than Apollo, explains Vincent. It will have to be able to withstand the considerable wind forces on the breezy dike near Den Helder in the Racing Aeolus competition.
TU Delft researcher Ben Geurts MSc. was involved in the early stages of the TU Delft wind racing team called Team Vortex. He thinks the Rootbox team has made a smart move. “Combining the two vehicles makes better use of knowledge, production facilities, workshops, financial means and sponsorships”, says Geurts. He doesn’t think there is much sacrifice or compromise in the design. “You’ll add a little extra weight for the coupling, but that’s negligible.” Geurts has left the Vortex team after it had decided it would not make use of a vertical axis turbine – Geurt’s expertise and PhD research project. Currently the team’s main activity is issuing calls for students to participate. For an activity that will take place in August, such calls seem a bit late.
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