Why The Delft University of Technology Will Win the World Solar Challenge for the 5th Time in a Row!

In October the World Solar Challenge will be held for the 10th time. The last 4 editions were all won by the Delft University of Technology (DUT). I am convinced it will also win this race the 5th time. I will explain why.

In the seventies and eighties of last century I studied and worked at the DUT. I studied Power Electronics and worked as Director Wind-Energy and scientific researcher.

In that time, we, the DUT, had a rich tradition of multidisciplinary research centers. There are 3 forms of different disciplines working together:

1. mono-disciplinary
2. interdisciplinary
3. multidisciplinary

Everywhere the most research groups are mono-disciplinary. This means that they perform research on their own very specific discipline, and are seldom aware of other disciplines.

Some are interdisciplinary. This means that 2 or more mono-disciplines are working in some environment, and try to perform some task together where the borders between the work are very clear. Or seem clear…

Multidisciplinary means interdisciplinary, as well as the problem is stated integral in a such a way that all disciplines can understand it, and that all disciplines are able to rethink solutions. This is a well known source for extreme innovations! This implies that a problem in one area can be solved in another area, and it means that a trade-off of conflicting requirements can be made on a very high level. The first months of such a multidisciplinary group are tough, because they are enforced to understand each language, and come to one set of specifications. Only then a trade-off can be performed from a helicopter viewpoint.

An example is wind-energy. It has aerodynamic aspects (wings), mechanical (transmission), electrical (generator and power electronics), civil (construction), and control. Having a complete set of specifications the control system can reduce problems in one part by managing another, more easy influential part. Real life example: In this way you will be able solve potential aerodynamic problems by influencing the generator behavior!

Now back to the World Solar Challenge. This race by solar powered vehicles goes from Darwin to Adelaide. To be able to construct such a vehicle you need technology knowledge of vehicles, aerodynamics, materials, power electronics, usability, durability, and control. All these requirements, including the conflicting, can only understood and resolved in a multidisciplinary task-force. This is well within the tradition of the DUT!

Therefore, my prediction: I am convinced the DUT team will win again!

This blog is part of a series on top of the art strategies for arriving at high quality solutions:

1. Why the Delft University of Technology Will Win the World Solar Challenge for the 5th Time In a Row (this blog)
2. Quality is King (The Theory)
3. The Benefits of an Aligned Supply Chain (and How to Realize That...)

Results2Match has a strong vision on successful business strategies and result driven implementations.

This blog is written by Hans Lodder. Hans is a very experienced change management consultant and interim manager. You can contact Hans through his Results2Match email address.

PS: The race is over! The Delft University team actually finished second!

They never overcame the severe challenges after the crash of their vehicle at 100 km/h (60 m/h) during a test drive 2 weeks for the start, while optimizing Nuna.
Moreover, the constant malfunctioning of the Maximum Power Tracker (MPT) limited the solar power delivered to the batteries to 75%. Thus they became 2nd on 75% of their available power! The malfunctioning was due to a defect circuit connector. As connectors are around some 100 years, this problem seems to be caused by sheer neglectence.

Too bad. Next time there is always a new chance.