Thai-made STC-4 solar vehicle launched to join global race in Australia
Siam Technology College (STC), in collaboration with Creative Economy Agency (CEA), has developed STC-4 solar-powered vehicle to attend Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023 from October 22 to 29, 2023. The press conference to launch the STC-4 was held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Muse Siam Square, Bangkok, in which the key sponsors including Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd., and Office of Knowledge Management and Development (Public Organization) (OKMD) also participated.
On this occasion, Mr. Jirawat Karuna, the Acting Dean of STC’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology, gave a presentation highlighting the journey of solar vehicle starting from the STC-1 in the year 2015, STC-2 in 2017, STC-3 in 2019, to the STC-4 model, developed by the faculty teachers and students. The recent model is in preparation for racing in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023 in Australia, with the 3,022 km racing route from Darwin to Adelaide under diverse weather conditions and environments, to push forward solar innovations.
In the event, a special talk on the topic “The Future of Solar-powered Vehicle and Renewable Energy in Thailand” was held at the Muse Siam’s Grand Hall, moderated by Dr. Thakrit Panklib, the consultant of STC-1, STC-2, and STC-3 projects, along with four speakers: Dr. Tawarat Sutabutr, OKMD Director; Mr. Chaiwut Lakmuang, EGAT Assistant Governor – Sustainability Management; Mr. Attaphol Phraephrewngam, Head of Sustainability at Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd.; and Assoc. Prof. Pornphisud Mongkhonvanit, STC President. Their shared insights included recognizing the pivotal role of environmental changes and rising temperatures each year and underscoring the necessity for humans to adapt to these transformations and the indispensability of fuel energy. Therefore, to maintain the world’s balance and fulfill the energy demands with limited resources, it is imperative to collaborate and seek better solutions. Solar energy, a clean and renewable source, can help reduce pollutions and become an alternative for those interested who put continuous efforts for innovations.
The solar-powered STC-4 has been designed to resemble current commercial electric vehicles (EV) at the same industry standards. With dimensions of 2 meters wide, 4 meters long, and 1.6 meters tall, it is installed with a cloud-based communication system and can reach a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour and a distance of up to 1,200 kilometers per charge, solely using solar energy. The STC-4 features a contemporary appearance reflecting Thai identity through its white, red, and blue colors, as well as intricate patterns inspired by the Siamese betta fish’s movements on its tail. The STC-4 could serve as a prototype for commercial EVs in the future.
OKMD Director said that the solar-powered EV is an innovation that addresses the country’s challenges, leading to establishing a new energy industry. Therefore, the OKMD is ready to advance the future of Thailand’s automotive industry. Through knowledge management and development, OKMD supports Thai students to the global competition stage. This includes disseminating knowledge on alternative energy vehicles to communities and society, fostering awareness about the significance of using renewable energy. This clean energy is crucial for the nation’s environment and the world, serving as a foundation for personal development, lifestyle, and a diverse range of professions.
EGAT Assistant Governor – Sustainability Management emphasized the importance of electricity usage from clean energy sources to reduce air pollution and environmental impacts. EGAT supports the policy of EGAT Carbon Neutrality by 2050 by promoting the use of EVs to build an ecosystem and infrastructure in response to the country’s policy. The design and development of the STC-4 align with the strategies to promote EVs and the Alternative Energy Development Plan. It fosters the utilization of solar energy technology with EV innovations. Thus, it is suitable for supporting this project. It not only drives the development of knowledge in solar-powered EV design among Thai students but also positions them to excel in global engineering and technology competitions to establish a well-regarded international reputation.
Head of Sustainability at Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd. said that the company focuses on environmental sustainability through its Carbon Neutrality policy by continuously developing a unique type of tire using recycled materials. The goal is to achieve a 100% success rate within the year 2040. We support the STC-4 project due to recognizing the potential of alternative energy vehicle innovations. It also serves as a test of the efficiency of EV tires designed and developed for optimal durability to reduce energy consumption in EVs.
The STC President highlighted the determination to develop innovations and creators in university participating in the global-level competition serves as a valuable opportunity for real-world learning and experiences. Moreover, the competition also supports an investment in solar-powered cars, a promising alternative for the automotive industry in the future.