Media

TAQA brings first hybrid-electric car race to the GCC

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – TAQA, the international energy company based in Abu Dhabi, will bring together engineering students from across the Gulf Cooperation Council for the region’s first hybrid-electric car race. The event is hosted by The Petroleum Institute, a university and research centre in Abu Dhabi, as a strategic partner.The 2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid-Electric Challenge will be held at Abu Dhabi’s Al Forsan racetrack on 29 – 31 January. It will give university teams from the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait the chance to apply classroom theory to real-world energy technology challenges. The event is supported by the Emirates Foundation and created by Global EEE, a US-based non-profit.Dr Saif Al Sayari, TAQA’s Executive Officer and Head of Energy Solutions, commented: “The next generation of engineers will play a critical role in developing a sustainable economy for the UAE and the region. This event gives engineering students the opportunity to try out what they have learned in the classroom in a competitive environment. TAQA is committed to supporting young engineers from the GCC and encouraging the development of alternative energy technologies.”More than 120 male and female students from 11 teams will participate, including teams from Abu Dhabi’s Petroleum Institute, United Arab Emirates University, Masdar Institute, Abu Dhabi University and Khalifa University. Teams from Oman, Qatar and Kuwait will also compete.The teams, consisting of drivers and technicians, will race single-person, lightweight, hybrid motor cars built to stringent race design and safety rules. The teams have received car kits and are currently working in teams to engineer, build and fine-tune the vehicles for the event with the aim of developing faster and more energy efficient vehicles.Each team must make a decision about their strategy for the petrol generator which extends the range of the vehicles. There are three main prizes on offer: fastest qualifying time, longest distance travelled on electric battery alone, and longest distance travelled on the petrol-electric configuration. The overall 2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid-Electric Challenge winner will be crowned by adding the scores of the two race days. Other awards include technical innovation, quality of workmanship, sportsmanship and design.Whilst the event seeks to encourage competition amongst the students, the vision is to promote collaboration and to inspire the innovators of the next generation to convert their knowledge into real world solutions that promote energy efficiency.The official launch event is scheduled for 13 January, when more details will be unveiled. The event will be open to the public.- ENDS -For further information:TAQA External Communications, Abu Dhabi
Allan Virtanen
Head of Media
Tel +971 2 691 4894
Mob +971 56 685 2717
Allan.Virtanen@taqa.comAbout TAQATAQA means energy in Arabic and is the trade name of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA). We are an international energy and water company listed in Abu Dhabi operating in 11 countries across four continents.
We strive to run our company safely and sustainably, operating to the highest ethical standards. We are proud to align our strategy to Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, a roadmap for a sustainable economy with a focus on knowledge-based industry.
Our interests lie in conventional and alternative power generation, water desalination, oil and gas exploration and production, pipelines and gas storage. We operate in Canada, Ghana, India, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Morocco, the Netherlands, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.