オーストラリアのダーウィンからアデレードまで、約3,000kmをソーラーカーで走るWorld Solar Challenge ワールド・ソーラーチャレンジの季節がまたやっていました。今年は、東海大学、芦屋大学、そして、沖縄の中・高・大の異なる年齢の学生スタッフを中心とする約20人からなる「チーム沖縄 Team OKINAWA」が日本から参加します。全世界から40あまりのチームが参加して行われます。
" Scrutineering
Wednesday 12th - Friday 14th October
Foskey Pavilion, Royal Darwin Showgrounds, Winellie
Open from 8am until 5pm
Team members will be registered, drivers weighed and the solarcars themselves will be presented to the scrutineers for inspection and confirmation of their for regulatory compliance and structural integrity. Vehicles will be progressively dismantled for inspection and reassembled in a ‘production line’ process on the scrutineering floor. The hall is surrounded by a balcony from which a good view of the proceedings can be enjoyed.
Science Outside the Square
Friday 14th October
Foskey Pavilion, Royal Darwin Showgrounds, Winellie
10am - 12.30pm
RI Aus will be conducting their fabulous Science Outside the Square program, including interactive sessions with teams and officials. Drop in and participate in the fun.
Qualifying and Speed Trials
Saturday 15th October
Hidden Valley Motorsport Complex, Berrimah
Gates open from 7am (Darwin time).
One of the few times the solarcars and their teams are in the same place with time to talk. Following a team briefing, solarcars take to the track individually to complete a series of dynamic tests ? steering, braking and performance. The timed ‘hot lap’ will determine their starting position the following day. An electrifying atmosphere, with ideal viewing of ‘pit lane’ from the roof of the garages.
Following the pre-event briefing, a specific media briefing will take place. Details of time and venue will be provided to registered media representatives.
Event Start
Sunday 16th October
State Square Darwin
8.30am (Darwin time), on the Grid from 7am
Before the sun is even up, teams start to assemble in the State Square precinct, where final scrutineering checks are performed. At 0830 the Chief Minister will ‘flag off’ the solarcars as they commence their journey south. Solarcars must merge with their support teams once they take to the road ? but will all teams enjoy a smooth start?
Day 4
Wednesday 19th October
On past experience we may see the competition decided late in the afternoon of the fourth day.
Just north of Adelaide, teams cross the ‘Finish of Timing’ checkpoint, effectively determining the overall winner, however the journey is not over. Each solarcar must then proceed under its own power to the ceremonial finish line in Victoria Square in the heart of Adelaide.
The Finish Line
Victoria Square, Adelaide
Formally completing their challenge, the cars cross the finish line to enjoy a quick celebration and the attention of the media and photographers. Then follows final scrutiny, and the assembly of solarcars grows within the event’s public interactive showcase.
World Solar Challenge, Mission Control
Sun 16th to Friday 21st October
The Science Exchange Adelaide, 55 Exchange Place, Adelaide
10am - 5pm (Adelaide time)
Lunch-time talks, meets and greets, race updates at mission control centre. Free, just drop in.
RiAus Film Club ‘Race the Sun’
Monday 17th October
The Science Exchange Adelaide, 55 Exchange Place, Adelaide
6pm - 7.30pm (Adelaide Time)
Halle Berry, James Belushi and Casey Affleck star in the true story of a high school solar car team’s World Solar Challenge entry.
$10 for a 6 month film club membership.
Teams Reception
Friday 21st October
The Science Exchange Adelaide, 55 Exchange Place, Adelaide
5pm - 7pm (Adelaide Time)
Join WSC Officials and lead solar car teams for a competition debrief and refreshments. Free, but bookings essential.
Science outside the Square with Zoz Brooks
Saturday 22nd October
Victoria Square, Adelaide
11am - 3pm (Adelaide Time)
A family friendly event with hands on activities, displays and presentations. Free, just drop in!
Awards Presentation Night
Sunday 23rd October
Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide
As a final celebration of the event and the achievement of the teams, participants can finally relax for an evening of cultural performances, visual presentations, awards and of course, yarn-swapping and tales of adventure.
The evening continues with festivities shifting to a local venue and a night of dancing and partying.
* Please note that all references to event and challenge times are Darwin times.
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アメリカ発で世界展開するリチウムイオン蓄電池メーカーのA123システムズ A123 Systems は、中国のDongfang Electric Corporation (DEC)の風力発電所に、付帯設備として、Nanophosphate（TM)リチウムイオン蓄電池500kWを提供する契約をまとめたことをアナウンスしました。急速に発展する中国の風力発電事業においては、送電網の整備と風力発電の変動を吸収し平準化するための蓄電池を必要としています。今回は、A123 Systemsにとっても、初めての送電網向けの蓄電システムとなります。
世界のメーカーがしのぎをけずる蓄電池市場において、アメリカ企業の大きな一歩が発展しようとする中国で刻まれました。
" A123 Systems, (Nasdaq:AONE) a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate（TM) lithium ion batteries and systems, today announced a contract to supply a 500kW advanced energy storage solution to Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), the third largest manufacturer of wind turbines in the People's Republic of China and the country's largest exporter of power equipment. Expected to be installed at DEC's manufacturing facility in Hangzhou city, China Zhejiang Province, by the end of 2011, the system is designed as a demonstration project to help DEC evaluate how advanced energy storage can address the challenges associated with the rapid growth of wind power in China.
"The government has set ambitions goals to increase wind power in China to about 170GW by 2020, and DEC looks forward to doing our part to help reach this target. However, there will be infrastructure and interconnection challenges along the way that must be addressed," said Mr. He, general manager of Dongfang Electrical Machinery Co.
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This project will be A123's first energy storage system in China, where only about 72 percent of the country's total wind power generating capacity is connected to the power grid, according to data from the China Power Union.
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