Ventomobile ready to race the wind in the Netherlands

It took them many months of intense construction work to reach this goal. First wind tunnel testing produced very promising results. The extremely stylish three-wheeler features a two-bladed rotor on top, with a diameter of two meters. The efficiency of this setup proved to be extremely good.

On August, 23rd the InVentus Ventomobile will compete in the Aeolus Race in Den Helder (Netherlands) on a three kilometre track with five teams from different universities and research institutes from all over Europe. In this first edition of RACING AEOLUS©, an event that is unique around the world, the teams are challenged to sail straight into the wind, solely driven by the power of wind.

Before the Ventomobile is sent on its way to the Netherlands, we would like to invite you to a presentation at the University campus in Vaihingen on Tuesday, the 12th of August. Attending journalists will get the opportunity to observe the vehicle during wind tunnel tests, to see the braiding of a drive shaft, and the laminating of a rotor blade. Subject to favourable wind conditions the Ventomobile can also be watched doing a test drive.

9 am – 12 pm Wind tunnel testing (Institut für Aero- und Gasdynamik,
Pfaffenwaldring 21
1 pm – 2 pm Braiding of a drive shaft (Faserverbundtechnikum, Allmandring 5B)
2 pm – 3 pmLaminating of a rotor blade (Faserverbundtechnikum, Allmandring 5B)
4 pm – 6 pm Test drive on Malmsheim airfield (10 km from Stuttgart)
The InVentus team is looking forward to meet interested journalists on this day. For better planning, we would kindly ask you to inform us if you plan to attend. (press contact: Tobias Klaus, e-mail: t.klaus@gmx.net)

InVentus was created by avid students of Aerospace Engineering in cooperation with the Endowed Chair of Wind Energy. “The Ventomobile is another proof of what can be done with renewable energies”, explains Prof Martin Kühn, Endowed Chair of Wind Energy at Stuttgart University, recalling the time when solar powered vehicles were in their first stages of development.