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In 2023, the EcoGreen Energy Challenge will bring together teams in 8 different categories.
Each team can participate with 2 types of vehicles:
- The prototypes
- The Urban Concept.
For each of these vehicles, participants can use one of the following 4 energies:
- Biomethane for internal combustion engines
- Biohydrogen for internal combustion engines
- Biohydrogen for fuel cells
- Electric battery
Let’s discover these categories in detail!
TYPES OF VEHICLES
Prototypes
Prototypes are three-wheeled vehicles that have a futuristic design.
The optimization of their shapes required a precise aerodynamic work and many passages in wind tunnel.
This ultra efficient and lightweight vehicle concept has been developed to be among the most energy efficient in the world. Some even travel the equivalent of thousands of kilometres with the equivalent of a single litre of gasoline.
In these vehicles, the pilot is in a semi-elongated position and drives from inside the passenger compartment.
Technical characteristics of these vehicles:
- Height: 70 – 100 cm
- Width: 50 – 130 cm
- Length: 200 – 350 cm
- Wheelbase: 100 – 130 cm
- Weight (excluding pilot): max 100 kg
- Minimum pilot weight: 50 kg
Urban Concept
The first Urban Concept vehicles were designed in 2003.
These are four-wheel vehicles that are intended to travel in urban areas. They have the usual equipment of an automobile (lighting, rain tires, wipers, etc.) and can thus drive in rainy weather unlike prototypes.
Technical characteristics of these vehicles:
- Height: 100 – 130 cm
- Width: 120 – 130 cm
- Length: 220 – 350 cm
- Wheelbase: 120 – 170 cm
- Ground clearance: 10 cm
- Rims: 13 – 17 inches (diameter)
- Weight (excluding pilot): max 200 kg
- Minimum pilot weight: 70 kg
USED ENERGIES
Biomethane
Bio methane from biomass, is a gaseous energy source that is more environmentally friendly. Its use allows a 95% reduction in fine particulate matter and 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions compared to traditional fuels.
The most striking fact is that BioGNV helps to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% compared to diesel.
Category Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)
In the same way as with conventional fuel, the mixture of air and biomethane in the engine allows the combustion of it and the transformation into mechanical energy moves the vehicles forward.
Some participants of the EcoGreen Energy Challenge have adapted their vehicle and especially the power supply and injection system to accommodate this energy source.
The results for the biomethane Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) category will be expressed in km/kWh, km/m3 of methane and km/litre of SP 95.
Biohydrogen
Hydrogen is produced by the « electrolysis of water »: this process consists in passing an electric current into water (H2O) to break it down into hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O2).
It is referred to as “green” when the electricity used comes from a renewable energy source. Its production, in addition to its use, is low carbon.
Biohydrogen can also be produced from biomass, using a gasification process. Biomass is heated at a very high temperature and a synthesis gas is extracted, followed by hydrogen.
Category Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)
The internal combustion engine using hydrogen converts the energy of the explosive reaction between dihydrogen (H2) and dioxygen (O2) into mechanical energy.
The energy released by combustion activates a piston according to the same principle as in a gasoline or diesel engine.
The results for the hydrogen MCI category will be expressed in km/kWh, km/m3 of hydrogen and km/litre of SP 95.
Fuel Cell Category
When hydrogen and oxygen (contained in the air) are put into contact with a catalyst, the fuel cell generates electricity to power an electric motor, the only residue released being water vapour. Compared to a battery, a fuel cell is therefore considered to be an energy converter rather than a storage device.
Similar to the MCI category, results will be expressed in km/kWh, km/m3 hydrogen and km/litre PS 95
Electric Battery
The battery of an electric vehicle transforms chemical energy into electrical energy when the vehicle is powered and reverses the process when it recharges.
In each element, 2 electrodes of different materials are separated by an electrolyte, a solid or liquid substance that allows the passage of electrical current.
Electrons carrying electric charges (ions) from the electrodes migrate from one to the other, creating an electric current.
More environmentally friendly, the main challenge of this technology is to develop its autonomy, which is the interest of the EcoGreen Energy Challenge.
Competitors will have the option to use one or two batteries to power the accessories and propulsion system.
The results will be calculated from the amount of energy measured in Joule in a validated attempt using a calibrated joule meter, provided by the organization.