With Arkas Bunker among the lead sponsors, ITU ZES Solar Car Team, contested the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC 2023) in the challenging desert terrain of Australia, striving to traverse the continent from one end to the other.
The Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Zorlu Energy Solutions (ZES) Solar Car Team (ITU ZES GAE) participated in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC 2023) in Australia. ITU ZES GAE, renowned for numerous successes in national and international competitions, raced with the ARIBA ZES XE vehicle in the BWSC 2023, acknowledged as the world’s most demanding innovation and engineering challenge.
ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Ismail Koyuncu praised the team, saying, “We declared 2023, which is the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic and ITU’s 250th year, as the year of sustainability. Sustainability management is a significant part of ITU’s institutional identity. We take great pride in our students’ efforts towards sustainability awareness. ITU ZES GAE has gained crucial experience by representing us and our country admirably in this race in Australia.”
Arkas Bunker, also a sponsor of ITU ZES GAE, supports environmentally friendly projects, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly technologies. Arkas Bunkering General Manager Seckin Gul, the project’s diamond sponsor, highlighted the increasing global awareness of sustainability and its value. Gul stated their determination to contribute to similar projects even in the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.
Expressing pride in ITU ZES GAE’s national and international accomplishments, Sinan Ak, CEO of Zorlu Energy, remarked, “It is incredibly gratifying that the 250th year of ITU coincides with the Republic’s 100th anniversary. As Zorlu Energy, in our stakeholder-based journey towards sustainability, we focus on increasing our clean energy investments, reducing our environmental footprint, and aiming for a more sustainable world by consuming less and producing more in all our activities. Believing in the power of our youth, the architects of the future mentioned repeatedly by our Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, we take immense pride in supporting ITU ZES GAE, achieving significant successes nationally and internationally. We wish them continued success.”
Racing in Australia’s harsh desert conditions: BWSC 2023
ITU ZES GAE competed with the ARIBA ZES XE vehicle, converting solar energy into electricity, in the BWSC 2023 held from October 22nd to 29th, 2023, in Australia. Originating from 1987 and held biennially, BWSC 2023 challenged participants to complete the grueling 3,021 km route, primarily passing through the desert. This year, 38 teams from 25 countries participated in three categories: Projecta Challenger (Single-Person Racing Vehicle), CSIRO Cruiser (At least Two-Person Passenger Car), and Adventure Class (Out-of-Class Adventure Vehicle). ITU ZES GAE, represented our country in this prestigious race with 16 students alongside Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoglu, Assistant Prof. Alper Tolga Calik, and R.A. Halil Yahya Yesilyurt from ITU. One female and three male ITU students served as pilots. Before the race commenced, ARIBA ZES XE, a Challenger-class vehicle, participated in the qualifying rounds held on October 21st through test and evaluation drives, clocking a commendable time of 2:12.6620, securing the 8th fastest lap time among 32 teams in its class.
ARIBA ZES XE began the race in Darwin, Australia’s north, on October 22nd. The race, unfolding on a challenging route with ten checkpoints, saw vehicles charging their batteries solely from solar power while driving and at the checkpoints. The BWSC 2023 concluded on October 29th in Adelaide, the southern coast of the continent. Starting the race and successfully passing the first checkpoint, ARIBA ZES XE encountered a mishap at the 392nd km, veering off the road. Although the ITU ZES GAE team repaired the vehicle to continue the race, due to technical issues posing a risk, they withdrew from the race at the 492nd km mark. ARIBA ZES XE secured the 20th place in the overall rankings of the “Projecta Challenger” category. Drawing valuable technical lessons from the BWSC 2023 experience, the team prepared enthusiastically for future races, jubilantly celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic at the race’s finish line, singing the National Anthem with Turkish flags.
ARIBA ZES XE
ARIBA ZES XE is the 10th generation upgraded solar car developed by ITU ZES GAE, founded in 2004, incorporating cutting-edge technology and innovations. Comprising a team of 40 ITU students, the team, since its establishment, has built ten solar cars and two autonomous vehicles, winning over 20 awards in the races they’ve participated in. ITU ZES GAE successfully completed the ZES Inner Anatolia Test, a BWSC 2023 race simulation, in July 2022. During the ZES Inner Anatolia Test, ARIBA ZES XE completed the 3,021 km route, covering Eskisehir, Konya, and Aksaray provinces, solely powered by solar energy, gaining significant experience to prepare for BWSC 2023.