A novel strategy model approach for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

This project considers the derivation of strategies for a solar car race
through Australia, posed by TopDutch Solar Racing. The task is to
optimize the arrival time of an electric car powered by solar energy by
changing the velocity along the track taking into account the characteristics of the car, external influences such as wind and sun, as well
as constraints like the maximal and minimal battery charge. To address this challenge, the problem is modeled and four different optimization strategies are devised, focusing on different time horizons and
methods. We explain a data-based long-term strategy, an optimisationbased long-term strategy, a dynamic programming long-term strategy,
and an optimization-based short-term strategy. While successful shortterm strategies require more work, the long-term strategies give realistic
results and are powerful tools to increase the winning chance for the
team. We outline several possibilities to improve the models based on
additional data, modeling and methods.