Tools

Riding with the wind

Campus group harnessing wind, solar power for sustainable campus mail vehicle

A 1997 GMC Jimmy may not seem like the ideal tool to help make KU a greener campus. But the KU EcoHawks are converting the SUV into a modern electric vehicle that will deliver campus mail and materials by harnessing wind energy.

KU Libraries, which runs the campus mail program, voiced an interest in obtaining a “green” vehicle and jumped at the chance to get involved in a project that would engage library staff and students. The Jimmy will replace the truck that KU Libraries is currently using.

Senior design students enrolled in mechanical engineering courses already have begun work on the Jimmy under the supervision of Christopher Depcik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and EcoHawks founder.

“I wanted to look at the automobile from a sustainable approach,” Depcik said. “We focus on a real-world vehicle while considering the environment and energy. Then, we relate it to education and consider its future potential.”

The project started with a proposal requesting funds and progressed into a series of tests to learn theory, concepts and design. Students must work together to understand the process and choose the best materials while still staying within a budget. Funds are provided by KU’s Transportation Research Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The goal of the project is to look at cars and energy differently. The group’s earlier project, a Volkswagen Beetle, ran on solar energy. This time, the EcoHawks chose wind energy so they could witness another energy source interacting with the automobile. The Jimmy also has heating and air conditioning — a step up from the Beetle.

Mickey Clemon, a senior in mechanical engineering, is managing the smart grid incorporation with the Jimmy through scale modeling. Clemon’s job is to figure out what parts can run at which particular time to conserve energy. Clemon described his role by comparing the Jimmy to a cafeteria setting.

“During the day, the lights and air conditioning are running at max capacity. However, we can control other electronics, such as the dishwasher, and run them at night when energy is less in demand and therefore cheaper,” Clemon said.

The EcoHawks hope to have the Jimmy finished by the end of the school year. The Jimmy will remain property of the EcoHawks, so they can monitor it and record any changes it undergoes to further their research.

Projects such as this have helped the EcoHawks earn awards such as the 2009-10 Student Organization of the Year for Academic Enrichment from the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, first place in the Senior Design Project Competition from the Engineering Student Council, first place in Senior Design Project Poster Display from the Engineering Student Council, first place in the Engineering Expo, with the American Society for Mechanical Engineering, from the School of Engineering and Academic Project Sustainability Leadership Award from the KU Center for Sustainability.

Next on the EcoHawks’ agenda is to build a car for the Shell Urban Concept Vehicle Challenge. The Beetle and Jimmy will serve as references and resources for the students to draw from.

“We increased the level of sophistication and technology with each project,” Depcik said. "The goal of this project will be to create something the consumer will want to drive.”