Extramural Research - People, Prosperity and the Planet
2010/2011 Project Descriptions
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EPA Grant Number: SU834697
Title: University of Kansas Smart Grid Demonstration Project
A team of students from the University of Kansas will modify the design of a solar energy filling station for electric powered cars. The EcoHawks project began in 2008 with the conversion of a 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle to a hybrid running on 100% biodiesel created from waste vegetable oil. The project continued by upgrading the prototype with plug-in recharging capabilities. Currently the filling station provides a one-way flow of energy from the sun to the vehicle. The students will broaden this effort to change the flow of energy to and from solar panels, vehicle battery pack, and electrical grid depending on the time of day, electrical demand and cloud covering. The goal is to maximize energy flow and minimize energy loss within the system.
Challenge Area(s): Energy, Built Environment
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