Just one day after the 5th generation of the Delft solar race car Nuna, Nuna 5 (www.nuonsolarteam.com), was revealed to the public by the Nuon Solar Team.
Solar Impulse and Nuna are two fascinating symbols of sustainable blingbling. In 2004 I had the chance to initiate a meet-up of the two: Nuna visits Bertrand Piccard.
I was in the Nuon Solar Team in 2003: building, designing and racing Nuna 2. After we had conquered the title in the World Solar Challenge in Australia, me and my teammates put Nuna 2 on the road in Europe, for a crazy tour from Greece to Portugal. 16 cities in 15 countries in 14 days, visiting school children to inspire them by showcasing this slick little vehicle. We met excited youngsters in every place and had many great moments on the highways in between. On the 10th day our goal was Lausanne, in Switzerland, the home base of Bertrand Piccard and the Solar Impulse project. We had arranged to meet at a BBQ. I was lucky to shake Piccard's hand and have a chat. (Unfortunately the solar car itself was delayed on its way from Paris and couldn't make it in time, despite a sunny day.)
From left to right: Luiggino Torrigiani, Henk-Jan Kinds, Bertrand Piccard, me
The Solar Impulse project is kind of the bigger brother of the Nuna project, although the latter was born first. The crucial elements are exactly the same. They both share the audacity of the dream, the technology, the focus, the team commitment and the drawing of an element of the future (which is not necessarily technological).
In november Nuna 5 will try to defend the title in Australia. The competition, however, will be determined to end the dominance of the dutchies. It's going to be exciting. Follow them on: www.nuonsolarteam.com As for the Solar Impulse: "depending on test results, the prototype could make a 36-hour flight - the equivalent of a complete day-night-day cycle - in 2010 without any fuel." Keep track of their progress: www.solarimpulse.com
No comments:
Post a Comment