Sep 16 2013
UC Irvine has been named the official host university of the inaugural XPO clean energy exposition, which will take place in October alongside the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 at the Orange County Great Park.
The XPO will include the first-ever California Challenge energy-efficient race car time trials. Student-engineered vehicles from across the nation will compete to go as far as they can in one hour on $1 worth of energy from any source. Cars powered by methane and electricity — as well as those with efficient gas engines — will be at the starting line Oct. 5 and 6.
The Solar Decathlon, a renowned collegiate competition, is being held for the first time outside Washington, D.C. The award-winning event challenges U.S. and international collegiate teams to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. Together, the Solar Decathlon and the new XPO will create a powerful showcase for technology, education, arts and business related to clean energy.
"We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful event, which uses energy-efficient houses and next-generation vehicles to highlight the best and brightest young people from around the world," said Gregory Washington, dean of UC Irvine's Henry Samueli School of Engineering. "Our students, faculty and alumni look forward to participating. We'll be serving on the Observer Corps for the solar homes, showing off the campus's cutting-edge research and staging the exciting California Challenge."
The "host university" designation formalizes the important role that UC Irvine has played in planning the XPO, which — along with the Solar Decathlon — will be free and open to the public Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 3-6 and 10-13.
"UC Irvine has always been a cornerstone of the city of Irvine, so it's fitting that the university would become a major part of one of the biggest events in Irvine's history," said Cliff Wallace, deputy CEO of the Orange County Great Park. "Its involvement will certainly add dynamic new elements that visitors will enjoy."
In the California Challenge, high school and university students will test their skills in designing and building electric and alternative-fuel vehicles from scratch. The racetrack, being built on the Great Park's former military runways, includes a high-speed section, auto-cross section and a staged idle section.
"The California Challenge will add excitement to the XPO and help us extend the clean energy learning experience beyond the house to the driveway," said Richard King, director of the Solar Decathlon at the U.S. Department of Energy. "We want to connect budding automotive engineers with their contemporaries in the architecture and construction fields. These young minds will need to work together in the future to design houses that can support alternative-fuel vehicles."
The challenge will be part of the XPO Transportation Zone, where the public will have the opportunity to test-drive fuel-efficient hybrids and zero-emission, plug-in electric vehicles. Combining two well-known alternative-fuel racing programs - the UCI Invitational and the Electrathon America - "the California Challenge is the first national race to evaluate the performance and efficiency of mixed fuels side by side," said race director J. Michael McCarthy, UC Irvine professor of mechanical & aerospace engineering. "We're very happy to be doing this."
As part of its host duties, campus staff will also videotape key presentations at the XPO's Powerful Ideas Symposium.