2007 International Future Energy Challenge (IFEC’07) Taking Proposals
The International Future Energy Challenge (IFEC) is an international student competition for innovation, conservation, and effective use of electrical energy. The competition is open to college and university student teams from recognized engineering programs in any location. The 2007 competition addresses two broad topic areas:
Topic (A) Universal Adapting Battery Charger: An efficient battery charger power supply capable of adapting to a range of applications. The requirement is a small plug-in power supply capable of automatically charging a wide range of battery configurations. This would reduce the needs for battery-charging devices in a typical home from several to as few as one.
Topic (B) Integrated Starter/Alternator-Motor Drive for Automotive Applications: The main purpose of this challenge is to conceptualize, design, and develop a 3 kW, 4000 rpm electromechanical energy converter for operating efficiently (not less than 75% at cruising speed) as an alternator and motor. It is also desired to have a (cold) stand still torque of 80 N-m, for duration of 3 to 5 seconds, to accommodate the starter requirement.
Participation is on a proposal basis. Those schools that are interested must submit a proposal no later than September 18, 2006. Each university is limited to only one topic area. Schools with successful proposals will be notified by October 1, 2006. Student teams will then carry out the work and prepare hardware prototypes and reports. Mid-progress reports are due February 19, 2007. Final progress reports are due May 1, 2007. By May 15, 2007, the judging panel will select a group of teams as Finalists. These teams will be invited to a competition event that will begin August 20, 2007. A final report will be due at the competition event. Prizes totaling at least $50,000 are expected to be awarded. Major sponsor of the 2007 competition is the IEEE Power Engineering Society (PELS).
