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Why does Shell organise the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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What's the objective / goal of the competition ?
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Where and when does the Shell Eco-marathon take place ?
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How many teams are involved in the 2007 Shell Eco-marathon ? Where from ?
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What is the UrbanConcept category ? Why is it important ? Can these cars be used on public roads ?
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What are the alternative energy sources used at the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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Who finances the teams ?
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Does the project provide a valuable learning experience for students ?
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Where does the Shell Eco-marathon concept come from ?
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Are the technologies developed for the vehicles also useful outside the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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What kind of prizes can be won ?
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Does the 2007 European Shell Eco-marathon have government support ?
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What future developments are planned for the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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Why does Shell organise the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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The aim of the Shell Eco-marathon is to inspire young designers and engineers from around the world to develop new approaches to sustainable mobility.
It is a major educational project, in which students work together to explore potential solutions to both current and future transport and energy challenges.
The objective is threefold :
to encourage and foster innovation and ideas about fuel-efficiency and the future of modern transport
to help technical institutions secure talent for their professional technical courses
to promote technical careers among young people all over the world
Shell is committed to using its understanding of energy to help tackle the issues surrounding efficient energy use and environmental concerns linked to fossil fuel use, alternative energies and current patterns of consumption.
Quote from Shell CEO Jeroen van der Veer - Financial Times commentary : 24 January 2007
"Companies like Shell have an important role to play. Our own energy efficiency improvements are already delivering C02 savings of about 1 million tonnes a year. We are already one of the world’s largest distributors of biofuels. Since 2000 we have invested more than $1 billion in alternative energy sources like wind, solar and hydrogen. Our aim is to turn one of them into a substantial business over time."
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What's the objective / goal of the competition ?
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The principle of the Shell Eco-marathon is simple: to design and build the world’s most fuel-efficient vehicle - and produce the fewest emissions.
Teams can enter two main categories :
futuristic prototypes - which are streamlined vehicles where the primary design consideration is reducing drag and maximising efficiency
UrbanConcept vehicles - which are built to more conventional, 4-wheel, roadworthy criteria.
Either conventional fuels (such as diesel, petrol and LPG), or alternative fuels (such as solar, electric, hydrogen and bio-fuels) can be used to power vehicles.
The goal of the project is not to break speed records or be the first to finish; it is to consume as little fuel as possible over a set distance.
The current European Shell Eco-marathon record for a fuel-efficient combustion engine was set in 2004 by the team from Lycée La Joliverie (France) at 3,410 km on the equivalent of a single litre of fuel.
For prototype vehicles using fuel cells, the record is even more impressive. In 2005, the hydrogen-powered vehicle built by Swiss team ETH Zurich achieved a projected 3,836 km on the equivalent of a single litre of fuel.
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Where and when does the Shell Eco-marathon take place ?
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For the first time this year the Shell Eco-marathon is going global.
There will be events in both Europe and the Americas.
European teams meet at the Nogaro Racing Circuit in Southwest France, May 11-13.
American teams converge on the California Speedway, Los Angeles, April 12-15.
Rockingham Speedway (UK) on July 4-5.
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How many teams are involved in the 2007 Shell Eco-marathon ? Where from ?
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Geographical and educational diversity are key aspects of the Shell Eco-marathon.
The 2007 European Shell Eco-marathon will be the largest ever.
Over 250 teams will compete this year representing a vast range of schools, universities, colleges and technical academies from 20 countries across Europe and beyond. New teams from Romania, the Netherlands, Canada and Singapore will be taking part for the first time.
That means there are already thousands of students busy coming up with new ideas and working hard to develop their projects ready for the final event.
In addition to a strong French home team presence (151 teams), the 2007 line-up includes (in alphabetical order); 13 teams from Belgium, 1 team each from Canada and the Czech Republic, 2 teams from Denmark, 1 team from Finland, 8 teams from Germany, 6 from Greece, 6 from Italy, 4 from the Netherlands, 3 from Norway, 2 from Poland, 17 teams from Portugal, 1 each from Romania and Singapore, 1 from Slovakia, 10 teams from Spain, 3 teams from Sweden, 2 from Switzerland, and 13 teams from Turkey.
For the first Americas Shell Eco-marathon, 31 teams have confirmed attendance in 2007 from 11 states plus 1 team from Canada.
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What is the UrbanConcept category ? Why is it important ? Can these cars be used on public roads ?
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The UrbanConcept category is specifically designed to focus young minds on the important issues of real-world fuel-efficiency and its impact on our climate.
In 2003, Shell created the special UrbanConcept category for vehicles similar to traditional automobiles and capable of on-road use. Each UrbanConcept car must have four wheels, a steering wheel, head and tail lights, a driver’s seat, a brake pedal, doors, etc.
This year 42 teams have chosen to develop vehicles for the UrbanConcept category - an increase of 60% over 2006.
Shell has also introduced a special new race for these vehicles this year, separate from the other prototype entries, to help focus on their achievements and to improve on-track safety.
Hybrid and stop-go technologies have also been authorised for use by Urban Concept cars in 2007. This ensures these Shell Eco-marathon teams are matching the latest real-world developments in efficient transport.
Urban Concept participants are also encouraged to embark on long-term projects beyond the prototype phase, recognising that fuel economy must apply to all cars on tomorrow’s streets.
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What are the alternative energy sources used at the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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Shell believes that the development of alternative energy sources is critical to the future of transport and the global energy industry.
In 2003 alternative energy sources were introduced to the Shell Eco-marathon, opening up new environmental perspectives for this unique competition.
The term "alternative energy" includes all non-fossil energy sources like hydrogen, solar energy, electric and fuels derived from biomass.
In 2007, 68 vehicles will be using alternative energy sources at the event - an increase of 36% 2006. The most significant increase is in the use of Hydrogen cells, up by 50% over last year.
These include 28 teams using biofuels, 27 using hydrogen cells, 9 using solar energy and 4 teams using other sources (so far not determined).
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Who finances the teams ?
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Finding and managing the necessary budget is one of the project’s key challenges for the teams.
Just as in the real business world, the students need to find financial or technical partnerships with third parties to make the project work. In return, the logos of these companies or associations are promoted on the final vehicles.
Shell doesn’t support the teams financially in a direct way, but it does try to help.
Shell covers basic travel costs to the event, communications materials (posters, folders, press book, DVD, etc.) and the opportunity to obtain key materials at cost prices (financed in part by Shell or partners of the Shell Eco-marathon), for instance, tyres, injectors, rolling-balls and flow meters. The organisation also offers some facilities on site : for example, free camping and catering at low prices.
In the Americas, Shell has made available a small subsidy to help teams as they are participating for the first time and only have a short period to prepare for the final event.
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Does the project provide a valuable learning experience for students ?
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The Shell Eco-marathon is a trail-blazing educational project - unique in concept and rich in practical experience.
It integrates practical development and a competitive challenge with the values behind sustainable development, respect for a diversity of individuals, energy control and environmental protection.
The teams work all year round on a real technical project, with the obligation to produce demonstrable results at the final event. Vehicle design and construction are integrated into the school curriculum, often involving several academic disciplines.
These include : drafting, technology, engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, Computer-aided design (CAD), management, marketing, communications and languages amongst others.
The search for sponsors to participate in technical or financial partnerships is also an excellent opportunity to introduce students to the real business world, both through their efforts to market and communicate their projects, and through the contacts they make with external firms.
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Where does the Shell Eco-marathon concept come from ?
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The Shell Eco-marathon has a long and proud history of ground-breaking attempts to improve fuel-efficiency.
The Shell Eco-marathon concept originally came out of a Shell Group laboratory in the US at the end of the 1930’s. The idea was to organise a competition among engineers that brought together technological prowess with reasoned, responsible driving behaviour. In this competition, road-going vehicles achieved fuel efficiency of only around six litres per 100 km.
Shell wanted to continue to raise public awareness about the issue of fuel-efficiency, particularly among young people, and the current competition was introduced in 1985.
It has been running successfully ever since - and this year is being extended globally with the launch of a new Americas Shell Eco-marathon event.
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Are the technologies developed for the vehicles also useful outside the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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The Shell Eco-marathon promotes excellence and innovation beyond the school environment.
A few practical examples of technological innovations developed so far are by the teams :
a prototype equipped with a fuel cell and a system to recover energy from braking.
a diesel engine equipped with a temperature control system.
an LPG engine that was made non-flammable by the use of insulation material.
a 100% efficient Hydrogen fuel cell technique patented by a Danish team in 2006.
An increasing number of industrial partners join Shell at the event to help stimulate research and innovation by sharing their expertise :
Michelin’s specially developed tyres for the event. These are even more fuel-efficient than its own ‘green tyre, which has already sold over 500 million units worldwide.
Bosch provides teams with miniature fuel injectors.
SKF provides teams with ball bearings.
Of course, most of the vehicles designed today for the Shell Eco-marathon will not provide any "ready-made" solutions to mobility issues and will probably remain at the prototype stage. However, the research conducted for this race has already led to the discovery of new techniques, which have become - or could become - industrial applications in the future.
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What kind of prizes can be won ?
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While there are some monetary prizes to winning a Shell Eco-marathon prize, the real value comes in recognition of the achievements of the winning teams.
The Grand Prix - awarded to the Prototype or UrbanConcept vehicle with the best fuel economy figure, regardless of engine type; combustion engine or fuel cells.
In each of the 2 educational establishment categories (either Schools or Post-Secondary schools & Colleges, Universities & Engineering Schools) the best team receives an award, regardless of the energy source used.
For each energy class (Gasoline / Diesel / Alternative Gasoline / Alternative Diesel / solar energy etc) there is an award for first place and a trophy for both Prototypes and UrbanConcept vehicles.
UrbanConcept category – awards are given to the best teams for both combustion engine and fuel cells.
The Climate-Friendly Grand Prize – introduced in 2005 – for the team that produces the least CO2 equivalent emissions (solar vehicles are ineligible). This award is given to both the Prototype and UrbanConcept categories.
Additional special prizes are awarded for safety, technical innovation, design, communications and hospitality. There are also Education Awards from different European Ministries.
Americas Shell Eco-marathon Prizes :
Americas Grand Prize - awarded to the educational institution or University in honour of the team that completes the furthest distance, using the least amount of fuel (solar cars are not eligible).
Inaugural Team Prize - this year only - presented to the first five teams that register to participate in the 2007 event and make one official attempt to complete the required number of laps on the official course. Open to all fuel types, except for solar.
Engine Award : Internal Combustion will be presented to the internal combustion vehicle that posts the best fuel economy figure, regardless of the energy source used.
Engine Award : Fuel Cells is presented to the "fuel cell" or hydrogen vehicle that posts the best fuel economy figure.
Engine Award : Solar is awarded to the "solar" vehicle that posts the best fuel economy figure.
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Does the 2007 European Shell Eco-marathon have government support ?
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Yes : the 2007 European Shell Eco-marathon has the full patronage of the European Union Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik :
"It's a great pleasure for me to be associated with the 2007 Shell Eco-marathon. It is an event that epitomises our approach to science and research in the twenty-first century.
Firstly, it is aimed primarily at students. Young people are naturally inquisitive and innovative. They come to a project with few pre-conceptions and mountains of enthusiasm. We would do well to make the most of their free-thinking spirit. Events such as this engage young minds and encourage their curiosity and creativity.
Secondly, the Shell Eco-marathon shows that science, research and technology can help us find real solutions to the challenges before us. Climate change is a reality and we need solutions sooner rather than later. Encouraging creative thinking about renewable energy sources is an important step towards a sustainable, emissions-free future.
Thirdly, this event shows that science is fun and accessible. We need to attract more people to science, and keep them there. With the Shell Eco-marathon, we are certainly showing the lighter side of science! I wish all participants every success with their projects and look forward to seeing what bright ideas emerge in 2007."
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What future developments are planned for the Shell Eco-marathon ?
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Now that the Shell Eco-marathon is well established in Europe, and launched in the Americas, the rest of the world needs to look out for an expanding Shell Eco-marathon ! ...
Future developments could extend the events to other locations around the world in years to come.
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