ABU DHABI // They don’t generate much power, but boy can they shift.
Twenty high-tech cars powered by the sun will take to the roads next January for the first Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge. They will travel for 1,200 kilometres in a race to the finishing line outside Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, to coincide with the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit.
The cars’ solar panels generate about as much power as a domestic hairdryer, but advanced aerodynamics and lightweight materials propel them past 100kph.
“The car itself has a support team running so many computers you’d think you were in mission control at Nasa,” said Dr Nabih Bedawi, the event director.
Teams from universities and educational institutes around the world, including the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi, will take part in the race.
The cars will be designed, tested and driven entirely by the students, using the latest renewable energy, aerospace and automotive technologies.
“We have been exploring the addition of a solar car challenge in the Middle East and North Africa for several years now,” said Dr Hans Tholstrup, president of the International Solarcar Federation and organiser of the first World Solar Challenge in 1987.
“The emergence of the UAE as a leader in the region for future energy is quite evident and Masdar is a great example,” said the Danish scientist. Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company.
Dr Tholstrup said the competition rewarded technological and engineering expertise, rather than driving skills.
“All these technologies have made great contributions to the development of the new electric vehicles and hybrids on the road today. The Abu Dhabi Challenge won’t be any different,” he said.
The Petroleum Institute has brought together 15 engineering students to create a team for the race, led by Dr Fahad Al Maskari, director of the Solar Car Project at the institute. They will be the first from the UAE to compete in an event of this kind.
PI will work to build their own vehicle built with the assistance of Tokai University. A team from the Tokyo institution built the Tokai Challenger, which won the 2009 and 2011 World Solar Challenge races in Australia.
“I am excited and anxious at the same time, because our time limit is short, but I’m more excited because it’s an opportunity to learn from one of the most prestigious universities in the competition and we want to prove that we can also do well,” said Dr Al Maskari.
A key objective is to share international knowledge of solar power with universities in the UAE, he said. “This is not just about bringing the car, but it’s about learning the technology behind it, and gradually we will be independent and completely by ourselves.”
The institute aims eventually to develop a vehicle to compete at the World Solar Challenge in Australia.
The solar car challenge began in 1982 when Dr Tholstrup drove a solar-powered vehicle from the east to the west coast of Australia in 20 days.
He realised the potential, attracted attention from the engineering community and invited competition in 1987.
The Abu Dhabi challenge is sponsored by Adnoc and hosted by Masdar.
“We hope friendly competition from global universities will inspire local youth to pursue degrees in science-based fields,” said Masdar’s chairman Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
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- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
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Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The five pillars of Islam
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East