Formula E Accumulator
Problem statement
Imagine the sound of screeching rubber tires and screaming engines. Race cars blow by as you stand on a hot asphalt track. This was the exact situation our client, Wisconsin Racing, experienced in 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska during the FSAE electric vehicle competition. The battery, commonly referred to as the “accumulator,” was unable to run at a max power output of 80 kW during the endurance event without exceeding the battery temperature limit of 60 C [1] set by the FSAE competition rules. Wisconsin Racing was forced to limit the car to 20 kW resulting in a car that handled like a golf cart rather than a race car. We intend to give Wisconsin Racing a fighting chance by redesigning the battery from the ground up. To satisfy the teams needs we will be selecting new cells that deliver energy efficiently and reliably to the vehicle’s electrical systems and motors, implementing a thermal cooling system, and redesigning the battery casing along with other electrical components inside. In the end, our new accumulator will allow Wisconsin Racing to compete and hopefully win in the upcoming California FSAE North competition. [1] SAE International, “Formula SAE Rules 2019,” 2018.
Team members
Kyle Anderson – leader
Charlie Chermak – communicator
Louis Rigo – accountant
Jan Maroske – admin
Client
Wisconsin Racing, UW-Madison