FORMULA STUDENT ELECTRIC – STW IN THE RACE

Every year, students from more than 500 universities around the globe design and manufacture formula-style race cars for use on race tracks within the framework of the international design competition “Formula Student”.

Since 2006, the Formula Student competition – which was first introduced in the USA in 1981 – has also been organized in Germany under the patronage of the VDI (The Association of German Engineers). Since 2010, a competition for electric race cars has been organized in a separate electric cars category in order to promote the use of electric drives. This competition has become increasingly popular.

STW provides electronic components and consulting

Due to the extreme demands placed on the battery cells during the race, selecting the right battery management system (BMS) is very important for the safe use of the race cars. The modular powerMELA mBMS provided by Sensor-Technik Wiedemann GmbH (STW) monitors the individual cell voltage values, the currents flowing and the temperature within the battery. Additionally, it limits the maximum loading and unloading capabilities, records the aging of the cell (state of health) and constantly checks the insulation resistance in the HV system. Due to this comprehensive range of functions, the BMS plays a decisive role in the safety concept of the vehicle.

In total, 39 teams entered the competition this year. Among them were 6 teams sponsored by STW, which received support through electronic components and consulting. These teams were able to make the following placements:

• 4th place 4: Ravensburg DHBW “Global Formula Racing Corvallis”
• 8th place: Stuttgart DHBW “Engineering Stuttgart”
• 10th place: Augsburg UAS “Starkstrom Augsburg“
• 12th place: Karlsruhe KIT “KA-RaceIng”
• 31st place: Ingolstadt UAS “Schanzer Racing”
• 38th place: Bremen U, “Bremergy Racing”