by Mosima Rafapa
The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) solar electric vehicle project, developed by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), has received international recognition for its contribution to renewable energy and research on efficient transportation for the future. The team recently received a prestigious research grant of 50,000 GBP (R1,195,735.50) as part of an existing partnership between TUT and the University of Southampton (UoS) in the United Kingdom.
The partnership began with the Industry-Academia Partnership project a few years ago, aiming to promote international collaboration between the two universities and bridge the gap between industry and academia.
According to Dr Christiaan Oosthuizen, leader of the solar car team and lecturer at FEBE’s Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, this partnership is a continuation of an existing partnership, which was concluded in 2019 with UoS and a local industry partner, Advanced Materials Technology (AMT). The continuation phase of the project commenced in January 2024 and will run until December 2024.
Dr Oosthuizen said the previous grant not only strengthened the collaboration with UoS but contributed largely to the current SunChaser 4 prototype vehicle and the development of the new vehicle, which would be the first multi-seater solar-powered electric vehicle in Africa.
In 2022 and 2023, SunChaser 4 won the annual Bridgestone Ilanga Cup Championship, for two consecutive years.
The current SunChaser 4 during the second annual
Bridgestone Ilanga Cup Championship. Drivers, Andrew Graham,
Livhuwani Selby Maremeni, and Juandre Prinsloo
pictured.
Dr Oosthuizen added that the purpose of the funding is to stimulate international collaboration, share critical skills and promote sustainable engineering developments.
“We are required to collaborate with the same industry partner as before, but we have added another local industry partner and renewable energy expert, Ordiphase, to this round of funding.”
Moreover, the project aims to develop a sustainable, clean energy transportation prototype with two seats and storage space in the rear. It will build on the knowledge and skills gained from the previous collaboration and ensure that all systems and subsystems adhere to the South African Bureau of Standards.
“This is to ensure future homologation of the solar electric vehicle in the L7 category (with restrictions on mass and traction power), which will enable further funding towards commercialization of the vehicle,” said Dr Oosthuizen.
FEBE Executive Dean, Dr Grace Kanakana-Katumba said: “We are excited that the funding has once again been awarded to TUT. This award is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of our team and will enable us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in our field.”
In conclusion, Dr Kanakana-Katumba said: “By collaborating with international universities and industry experts we ensure that students are exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our goal is to equip them to become future-ready graduates.”