21st November 2017
For the first time ever, the RACV Energy Breakthrough event at Maryborough this weekend will feature a 100% carbon-neutral battery-only vehicle, powered by the sun.
Girton Grammar School has converted a hybrid petrol/electric engine to a single source battery/electric motor. The team will set up their own solar powered charging station and battery storage facility to recharge the battery packs on their vehicle, preventing the need to power batteries from trackside charging stations that use mains power.
Headmaster at Girton Grammar School, Mr Matthew Maruff, said that “Team Xception” was taking Energy Efficient Vehicle technology to a completely new level.
“This dedicated team of students has spent months planning the design and build of this carbon neutral vehicle and has re-defined what it is to achieve a true energy breakthrough.
“The use of their own mini solar station has blown away race officials, with the RACV tech officers accommodating the students’ ideas especially for the Maryborough race.
“The students have worked tirelessly with parents and teachers on their own time and have negotiated support and mentoring from local Bendigo businesses who have helped get this high-tech vehicle out of the workshop and onto the race track.
“Team Xception has won their race category in the Maryborough event for the past 5 years so they wanted to challenge themselves even further and do something truly innovative.
“EEV/HPV racing has become a hugely popular activity at the school, flowing seamlessly from the classroom onto the track.
“We offer nine Technology subjects at Girton, ranging from Systems Engineering and Computing to Engineering Design, which allow the students to experiment with their learning in a very practical sense,” he said.
Girton Grammar will also be entering an all-female team in the Energy Breakthrough event this weekend. The team consists of girls in Years 7 to 12, racing in a vehicle called “In-perfection”, which placed Third in their category at last year’s event.
“We need to encourage more girls into STEM and this team of talented and enthusiastic girls are setting a great example for other students, in an otherwise male dominated sport,” Mr Maruff said.
