Formula E powers up with solar
At the Visa London ePrix either Lucas di Grassi or Sebastien Buemi will succeed Nelson Piquet Jr as the champion of the world’s first all-electric single-seater series. Briton Sam Bird retains a mathematical chance of winning the title, but to do this he needs to win both races, secure all the bonus points for pole position and fastest lap, and hope that neither di Grassi nor Buemi scores a single point. After eight races in some of the world’s most iconic cities, including Beijing, Buenos Aires, Paris and Berlin, just a single point separates di Grassi, who drives for the Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport team and Buemi, who races for Renaullt e.dams.
The setting for championship decider is Battersea Park in London. Last year, the Grade II-listed Victorian Park was the scene of the first motor race in the city of London since 1972. The 1.818-mile (2.975km) track features 17 corners, with an average speed in season one of 75.389mph (121.327km/h). This season, with the change in regulations, the cars have been going an average of 1.667mph (2.684km/h) a lap faster.
Formula E was established by the governing body of world motorsport – the FIA – to demonstrate the ability of electric car technology in motorsport. As a result, the series is committed to embracing sustainable technologies. To this end, all the cars are charged by a generator that runs on glycerine, a fuel that is almost emission free, producing significantly fewer particulates such as NOx or CO2 compared to a standard diesel generator. Indeed, the fuel is so clean, you can actually drink it!
But Formula E events are about more than just the racing. For this year’s Visa London ePrix, Formula E has partnered with Lightsource – Europe’s leading solar energy company – to bring decentralised renewable power to the event. The bulk of renewables will be concentrated around the eVillage where fans can get up close to the drivers at the podium ceremony and autograph session, as well as discover more about the sustainable practices of our partners through interactive displays. The entire eVillage area is powered by renewable energy produced through a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel system combined with storage and glycerine bio-fuel solution.
On top of this, there are:
– 10 electric, solar-charged buggies exclusively for disabled transport
– Solar-powered mobile phone charging points for the public
– The official course cars, which are supplied by BMW i, will also be charged using renewable energy
– The majority of ticket booths at the entrances will be powered by solar energy
Nick Boyle, CEO for Lightsource said: “Both Lightsource and Formula E are aligned in our ethos of pushing the boundaries in sustainability. We are extremely proud to be working in partnership with Formula E’s operations team to deliver bespoke renewable energy solutions to the Visa London ePrix. This is the new world of electricity supply, where choice and control is at the forefront for consumers large and small. By powering the entire eVillage, we are hoping to demonstrate that renewable energy is definitely a reliable and credible source of power.”
Alejandro Agag, Chief Executive of Formula E said: “Formula E is thrilled to be partnering with Lightsource at the Visa London ePrix, bringing sustainable power to the finale of our world-class championship and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the reduction of carbon from motorsport.”
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