Notus: Fully Renewable Powered Electrical Vehicle
By Alexander Estrella, Fernando Rodriguez, Kahlifah Folkes, Tony Wei
Summary
In the U.S., one-fifth of its total global warming pollution can be traced back to the carbon dioxide emitted by cars and trucks. One will then say, well, we can turn to electric vehicles. Unfortunately, electric cars can be just as harmful to the environment due to how the electricity needed to power the vehicle is created. On top of the electric and gas power cars being harmful, the prices to refuel or charge our car are also increasing. Therefore, Star Trek plans to eliminate these problems with the Notus hybrid electric car. The group aims to develop a fully-self sustainable vehicle while researching the use and application of wind power and solar power. The Notus car is intended to help eliminate the cost of charging and refueling one’s vehicles and the pollution caused by them. Moreover, the Notus vehicle will use solar and wind energy only to draw power, which is renewable green energy, free and easily accessible to everyone. We believe that the technology that goes into this car can help combat both global warming and the depletion of fossil fuel because it is a limited resource. The team will test a few vehicles with the public. The budget we set for this project ranges from $18,000–$30,000.
Authors’ Note
This paper was prepared for English 21007 taught by Professor Susan Delamare.
Introduction
Ever since its invention, the automotive industry has consisted of gas- and diesel-powered cars. This industry is essential because most people get around by vehicles. Walking or biking would take longer and would be more physically exhausting than driving a car and just putting one’s foot down on the pedals and moving the steering wheel. Vehicles have become part of our daily life; we are used to them. If cars just disappear, it would represent a huge problem for society.
Diesel-powered cars still dominate the industry, but many ideas and breakthroughs in technology have paved the way for electric cars from Tesla and BMV (Golson, 2021). Few wind-powered electric cars are being proposed, but our wind-solar-powered hybrid car has a lot of potential with wind power backed by solar power. Without these innovations and changes in the industry, the environment would worsen. The emissions from all the cars would make the air a lot dirtier, harder to breathe, and more likely to make people sick with breathing-related problems. These emissions also produce carbon dioxide (CO2) that destroys the ozone layer. This thin layer of the earth’s atmosphere protects us from most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. As CO2 erodes the ozone layer, we will be exposed to greater amounts of UV rays and because of this, more people will get skin cancer (EPA, 2021).
Overall, the electric car saves more money than filling up a gas tank every time the user runs out of gas. However, the cost of electricity depending on the area could be a problem with the electric car. People who live in urban areas may pay more for electricity. There is more demand for electricity in urban areas, and electric companies would charge more knowing this (EIA, 2021). On the other hand, suburban areas may charge less. However, access to energy in these areas may be difficult if people forget to charge their cars. They cannot drive the car if the battery is depleted. Alternatively, if people want to charge their electric car at a charging station, it will still cost them money but less than fulling up a gas tank.
Financially, the term electric car usually makes people think too expensive. These thoughts usually cause the customer to pick gas-powered cars over electric cars due to the price. However, this is furthest from the truth. Electric vehicles can now be found for a very economical price. For example, the Sion car is less than $30,000 for a 5-seat family car (Sono Motors, n.d.). Other electrical cars such as Tesla, the cheapest model, cost around $46,000 and the more expensive ones upwards of $50,000 (Lin, 2021). Another part of electric cars’ expenses is the cost of electricity to charge the battery or the need to replace some parts. However, these smart cars can also run a self-diagnosed breakdown, limiting the need to pay a mechanic to view the vehicle, and the user would only need to pay for the parts that need to be replaced.
Innovation is needed in the automotive industry to reduce emissions and lessen the reliance on gasoline and diesel. Furthermore, it is an obligation to reduce emissions to improve environmental wellness and live on the planet at a suitable temperature. Electric vehicles may be seen as a more suitable option to take care of the environment. However, these cars need to be charged at charging stations. The issue is that these charging stations’ primary power source is natural gas (MotorBiscuit.com, 2021). In other words, even though electric cars use clean energy, their energy source is still not renewable (MotorBiscuit.com, 2021). As a result, we are proposing the invention of Notus. This wind-solar-hybrid vehicle power by three mini wind turbines that take in the wind through a system and turns it into power the car can use. It also has solar cells on the body of the car that charges a backup battery for the car to run on in case there is no wind.
Even though the upfront price may be higher than other electric vehicles, it will be less costly overall. The user will never have to charge the car again as it runs entirely on wind power, especially when it is already in motion. The problem comes when the car is not moving, and there is no wind. However, the vehicle includes solar cells on the car’s roof and in the body, which charges a battery that supports the electric system.
These features would be necessary for the industry as it moves away from nonrenewable resources and towards renewable resources that are cleaner and better for the environment. These elements would also push the industry forward as the future of the automobilist industry is cars that run on renewable resources. Everyone in the industry is trying to innovate and improve these products with modern technologies built into these cars. However, this wind-solar-powered hybrid car is a meaningful change as it uses several renewable sources not commonly seen in many vehicles. As a result, the world will change, moving forward by using clean energies in more than just vehicles.
Objectives
This project aims to research the use of renewable sources to power electric vehicles. There are several issues with the current cars on the market today. First, diesel-powered vehicles damage the environment by producing CO2, toxic for those who inhale it and the ozone layer. Not to mention that the fluctuating gas price makes it difficult for some people to keep a vehicle. Second, electric cars are not entirely environmentally friendly either as they require natural gas and coal to power charging stations. Moreover, charging stations are currently not easy to locate. Therefore, we intend to carry out this project as soon as possible to reduce the impact on the environment. (Appendix A) shows the task schedule to develop the Notus vehicle. The objective of this project is to:
- Research the use and application of wind power in electric vehicles.
- Research the use and application of solar power in electric vehicles.
- Develop a fully self-sustainable vehicle based on wind and solar power.
Preliminary Literature Review of Other Engineering Innovations
There is previous research on the use of renewable energy to power electric cars. Even though these ideas sound great, they still have flaws. We have adopted some of the ideas from previous research and expanded on them by designing a self-sustainable vehicle that is good for the environment while still being practical in people’s lives.
For example, Sono Motors (n.d.) launched the Sion electric car, which charges itself through solar energy. Sion has solar cells integrated into the car’s body and can charge at any charging station in less than 35 minutes (Sono Motors, n.d.). However, this vehicle is only self-sustainable for short distances (Sono Motors, n.d.), which means that most of its power comes from an electrical battery that must be charged beforehand if the user is planning a long trip. Not to mention that there are days where there barely is enough sunlight to charge the battery, meaning that the car would be more dependent on the electrical battery. In addition, the battery is charged by plugging it into any plug available. This leads to the battery being charged by fossil fuels making this not a fully electrical car unless the person charges from a renewable source.
Another example would be the vehicle proposed by Ryan, (2018) explains that Yost has developed a small turbine, yet more powerful, that can be used to power electric cars and would not harm any bird when being used. In addition, Yost wants to include these turbines on the car’s roof to power the battery, making an electric vehicle that barely needs refueling (Ryan, 2018). However, Yost also stated that a fully wind-powered vehicle is still impossible. The cars still need support, especially when the car is not moving or there is not enough wind to power the battery (Ryan, 2018). The wind turbines made from titanium to start moving like a fan must be met with powerful wind to get the blades to move. These small wind turbines act exactly like the huge wind turbines in wind farms. The model Yost provided us with was a self-built model that works making wind powered electrical cars possible.
This research is still in the works with progress to make better solar panels which can convert more watts into energy as well as innovative technologies to incorporate wind power and infuse it with the solar aspect of the car. PV panels already have a lot of research and innovation behind them unlike the wind turbines made from titanium that can be integrated and placed in parts of the car such as the top of the car or the hood of the car allowing the maximum amount of wind to hit it.
To innovate from their ideas, we also did research on outside help for people looking to buy electric cars. In the United States, the government is working on a trillion-dollar infrastructure program in where $75 billion (about $230 per person in the US) will be redistributed into electric vehicles such as building new charging stations. (Feiner, 2021). To add to this, they are also offering a tax credit incentive for people to get an electric car. The tax credit allows a maximum of $7,500 within the year the electric car is purchased (Edmunds, 2021). With this credit a person can purchase the car and get a $7,500 tax reduction. If used correctly, for example the Sion car will be purchased for $30,000 and in total with the max tax credit it would be $23,000.
This research aligns itself with what is needed in our research product. A hybrid of solar and wind powered car will tackle the issue of using fossil fuels such as gas, eliminating the negative environmental issues associated with the excess natural gases being released into the atmosphere. The materials within the car would also be recycled and assembled in a factory using 100% renewable energy to keep this cars use of fossil fuels to as close as 0%. The initial excessive cost of an electric car is countered by the government’s tax credit write offs but manly by the economical price target of the car. The car proves to be cheaper than other electric cars which still use some types of fossil fuel either when being charged by plug or in the factories where the cars are assembled using the power of fossil fuels. Although these electric cars do not use as much fossil fuels as regular gas cars, the hope is to make a car that anyone with a license can purchase to replace these cars that emit fossil fuels into the atmosphere with one that does not.
Technical Description of Innovation
The model we are developing is mostly based on an existing model of a wind-powered vehicle proposed by Robert Yost (American Wind May Have…, 2017). He proposed to use a Ford C-Max Energi electric car with a 9x9x9-inch turbine that captures the main level of wind flow (American Wind May Have…, 2017). On top of the electric car, there is a wind wall of four modular micro wind turbines with multiple airfoils that generate around 2,800 watts per hour to charge the lithium battery throughout the drive (American Wind May Have…, 2017). On the other hand, the model we are developing is not solely using wind power to get its energy. We plan to develop a fully sustainable electric vehicle that will only depend on renewable sources. Therefore, there will be no need to charge it on an electric station or to use non-renewable sources such as diesel. To achieve full sustainability, our model (Figure 1) consists of four micro wind turbines on the roof of the car, solar cells inside the car’s body, an electric motor, and a lithium battery. (Figure 2) shows the internal mechanism of the Notus car and how energy is transformed to power the car.
Figure 1
Notus Car
Note. Adapted from “American Wind May Have Changed the Future of Electric Cars,” 2018, September 16, 3D Systems.
Figure 2
Notus Internal Mechanism
Note. Picture taken by Star Trek, 2021, December 5.
- Micro Wind Turbine
Wind energy will be the primary source to power the vehicle through the Modular Micro Wind Turbine. The turbine is also an invention patented by Robert Yost that could have multiple purposes such as traveling, camping, and even military use (Ryan, 2018). The Modular Micro Wind Turbin (Appendix B) includes a central hub with airfoil blades attached to a circular stabilization ring (Yost, 2012). Electricity comes from the rotation of a drive shaft (Appendix C) that extends from the central hub, which turns the electric generator with multiple magnets and coils (Yost, 2012). The energy will go to the lithium battery and will be ready to use to power the car. When the car moves, there will be enough wind produced by the own car as it is going against air resistance. This energy will make the car almost self-sustainable. However, the issue arises when there is not enough wind to power the car or enough air resistance. Well, this is when solar energy comes into play.
- Solar Cells
As there is a need for back-up energy in certain situations, we plan to introduce solar cells all over the car’s body as shown in (Figure 3). We intend to introduce 248 solar panels, just like Sono’s Sion car, which helps capture solar energy from every angle even if other solar panels are not getting sun rays (Halvorson, 2020). This would be a step towards better collection and storage of solar energy. The solar cells in the car’s body will be embedded in transparent polymer as this material is lighter and produces 220 watts per meter square (Halvorson, 2020) and will be placed as shown in (Figure 4). The solar energy collected by the solar panels will be stored in the battery which will be the main energy support for the electric motor.
Figure 3
Solar Cells in an Electric Car
Note. Reprinted from “How the Sono Sion electric car will use every body panel as a solar panel” by B. Halvorson, 2020, May 22, Green Car Reports.
Figure 4
Solar Panel Placement
Note. Reprinted from “How the Sono Sion electric car will use every body panel as a solar panel” by B. Halvorson, 2020, May 22, Green Car Reports.
- Electric Motor
The electric motor we plan to introduce in our model is a 120kW (163 h.p.) (Figure 5). This type of motor is advantageous as the powertrain’s maximum operating voltage is 400V while allowing the user to achieve a top speed of up to 140 km/h (Sono Motors, n.d.). Moreover, the car will be equipped with a front-wheel-drive that works perfectly with the three-phased synchronous electric motor (Sono Motors, n.d.). The electric motor will be connected to the Micro Wind Turbines as they will be the primary energy source. The engine will also be connected to the battery as it will be the backup source of energy that will keep the car moving.
Figure 5
120kW Electric Motor
Note. Reprinted from “Ac Motor 120 Kw Electric Car Motor Ev Conversion Kit For Car Brushless Synchronous Inverter For Electric Vehicle Car Bus Truck – Buy Ac Motor, Electric Car Motor,Ev Conversion Kit For Car Product on Alibaba.Com” by n.d., Alibaba.com.
- Lithium Battery
The backup battery will be a lithium iron phosphate (LIP) battery (Figure 6) which allows to store up to 54kWh (Sono Motors, n.d.). With this battery’s capacity, the car can go up to 305km (about twice the distance from Washington, D.C. to New York City) (Sono Motors, n.d.). Moreover, the battery is equipped with a cooling system that will prevent the unit from overheating (Sono Motors, n.d.). All the energy stored from the solar cells will be stored in this battery. As the LIP battery is connected to the motor as well, the motor will draw energy to use when necessary. The lithium battery is one of the most important parts of the Notus vehicle that will make our car fully sustainable.
Figure 6
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
Note. Reprinted from “A ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery | 2500–7000 Life Cycles & 10-Year lifetime | Built-in BMS | Perfect for RV, Solar, Marine, Overland, Off-Grid Applications” by n.d., Walmart.
Budget
Gathering data from the Sion car as well as a little wind turbine-powered car built by Robert Yost of American wind, we can predict the budget of this invention. We need to partner up with a production plant that already has in motion a system that runs in 100% renewable energy. The following materials are described under table 1, quarters and cost of necessities. Within this plant, the specific solar panels integrated into our car would be PV panels. These PV panels would be more effective than thermal panels and would also be more cost-effective. The car’s frame would also be aluminum because of how light it is with the PV cells built to withstand time. The car’s block-like framework would also be used to our advantage. Unlike sports cars that want to be aerodynamic to get the maximum speed, we intend to use the wind as a power source. This framework would allow more space to put air vents that would power another critical aspect of the car: the small wind turbines. These are made of fiberglass, which is initially more expensive than other materials but, over time, turns out cheaper. These small wind turbines will look like turbo and will be built into the car at the factory. All these parts can be made in the factory after preorders are made. The software would also be included to order new parts for their car if they get damaged, convincing people to buy this product. Our company will be able to supply these parts at a price.
On average, an electric vehicle costs around $23,000 to produce. This cost comes from how expensive the battery is for these vehicles. Our car with no battery would decrease this price with the small wind turbines being cheaper to produce than the batteries. The final cost for the car would be $30,000, with advanced preorders needed to maintain the production level within the factory equivalent to the number of cars needed to prevent an excess order of materials ordered.
Table 1
Notus Large-Scale Production Budget
| Quarters and Cost of Necessities | Q1(January-March) | Q2(April- June) | Q3 (July-September) | Q4 (October- December) |
| Units Made | 1000 Preorders available (Each with down payment of $3,000) | 3,000 | 9,000 | 18,000 |
| Cost of Units | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Gross Cost of Material | $18,000 | $18,000 | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Aluminum Per Unit | $364.9 | $364.9 | $364.9 | $364.9 |
| Solar Panels per Unit | $694.4 | $694.4 | $694.4 | $694.4 |
| Titanium Wind Turbine Per Unit | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Cost of Labor | $9,600 | $9,600 | $9,600 | $9,600 |
| Cost of Power | $6,241 | $18,723 | $56,169 | $168,507 |
| Revenue per unit | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Gross Revenue | $30,000,000 | $90,000,000 | $270,000,000 | $540,000,000 |
Note. Table created by Star Trek, 2021, November 25.
References
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Appendixes
Appendix A
Task Schedule
Figure 7
Notus Production Schedule
Note. Picture taken by Star Trek, 2021, November 25.
In our research, we were not able to find any task schedule on similar projects. Therefore, we created a task schedule based on several tasks we think could be done during a one-year period. Depending on how many tests might be added to develop a fully functional car and achieve the desired outcomes, the schedule may change.
Appendix B
Modular Micro Wind Turbine
Figure 8
Front and Cross-Sectional View of the Modular Micro Wind Turbine
Note. Reprinted from “Modular Micro Wind Turbine” by R. Yost, 2012, Google Patents.
Appendix C
Main Rotor
Figure 9
Front and Cross-Sectional View of the Main Rotor
Note. Reprinted from “Modular Micro Wind Turbine” by R. Yost, 2012, Google Patents.
