Innoptus Solar Team: Pushing Solar Car Technology

Blog by The Innoptus Solar Team.

Battery management system Innoptus solar team x Eurocircuits

The Innoptus Solar Team comprises 20 engineering students striving to build the most efficient, high-performing, and game-changing electric vehicle. They push the limits of their solar car as well as performance during the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, the unofficial world cup in solar racing, held biennially with teams from around the globe racing 3000 km through the Australian outback. In October 2023, the Innoptus Solar Team clinched their second world title. They also secured the Technical Innovation Award for their latest invention: the fin.

Powering the Future

Solar cars demonstrate the potential of renewable energy and modern engineering. For the Innoptus Solar Team, their mission extends beyond racing; it’s about advancing sustainable transportation solutions. They aim to spark interest in solar energy and engineering, hence organizing events like the Solar Olympics. Here, high school students engage in projects focused on solar energy to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers committed to a greener future.

Preparing for Sasol: The Infinite’s Upgrade

In 2024, the Infinite, the car built in 2023, will undergo optimization down to the smallest detail. In September 2024, the Innoptus Solar Team will participate in the Sasol Solar Challenge, known as the most extreme challenge due to the distance and mountainous terrain.

As they prepared for the grueling Sasol Solar Challenge in September 2024, the team faced a critical concern: the battery. Nestled within the core of the Infinite, the battery pack was crucial for powering the vehicle through rugged terrains and harsh conditions. To manage this battery pack with care, the best battery management system needed to be developed.

The battery management system comprises over 300 cm² of PCBs that need to be designed, produced, and tested with care! Eurocircuits provided the team first and foremost with the flexibility of very fast design/test cycles. Additionally, Eurocircuits’ advanced manufacturing capabilities enabled them to produce high-quality PCBs with precision and consistency, crucial for the reliable operation of the battery management system under extreme conditions.

“Eurocircuits provided more than just speed in design and testing cycles; they also offered expertise in optimizing the layout and manufacturing process of the PCBs. This ensured that every square centimeter of the PCB area was utilized efficiently, minimizing wasted space, and maximizing performance.” – Ebert Kiekens, electrical engineer

As preparations for the Sasol Solar Challenge intensify, anticipation mounts for the debut of the Innoptus Solar Team’s enhanced battery management system. Promising improved efficiency, reliability, and thermal management capabilities, this cutting-edge system represents a significant leap forward in solar car technology. With the race just around the corner, all eyes are on the Innoptus Solar Team as they push the boundaries of innovation and endurance in their quest for victory on the rugged roads of South Africa.