Students of FHWien der WKW present the model of an energy self-sufficient racetrack as part of an official “collateral event” at the Biennale Architettura 2023.
Vienna, June 29, 2023 – The only contribution from a German-speaking university in the “Students as Researchers” project shows how energy can be sustainably generated for motorsport infrastructure. Using the Red Bull Ring as an example, students from the Management & Entrepreneurship study programs at FHWien der WKW have drawn up a cost-benefit calculation for an energy-autonomous infrastructure. In addition to the theoretical paper, a physical model of a fictitious grandstand was created, which will be shown until November 26, 2023, as part of the “Students as Researchers” exhibition at the Biennale Architettura in Venice.
A model in the context of the Biennale
Motorsport and the associated racing world are committed to a sustainable economy. Formula 1, for example, has set itself the goal of reducing the CO2 footprint of its races to zero by 2030 with the “Net Zero Carbon emissions from factory to flag” initiative. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions are also to be reduced to a minimum in the production of vehicles, during travel and at the racetracks.
The project, which was developed as part of the “Strategic Management” lecture, takes an infrastructural approach. It builds its theoretical model on the existing infrastructure of the Red Bull Ring as well as biomass and wind energy, adding innovative approaches to solar power generation.
When creative practice meets university education
Even if only the roof of the main grandstand were used for energy generation, the experimental solar technology could reduce the current construction costs by 40 percent. The possible doubling of electricity generation and an additional halving of electricity production costs would enable the project system to pay for itself three times as quickly as today’s photovoltaic systems.
Even though this type of solar energy generation is still in the experimental stage, the model presentation was the only contribution from a German-speaking university to make it into the “Students as Researchers” project at the Biennale Architettura in Venice. The exhibition under the motto “Creative Practice and University Education” will run until the end of the Biennale on November 26, 2023 at the Centro Studi e Documentazione della Cultura Armena in Venice.
Photos:
The project team from the Management & Entrepreneurship study programs at FHWien der WKW. Its model of an energy-autonomous racetrack is being presented at the Biennale Architettura in Venice.
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Copyright: FHWien der WKW
Students from eight countries in Europe, America and Asia are taking part in “Students as Researchers”, a “collateral event” of the Biennale Architettura 2023 in Venice.
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Copyright: FHWien der WKW
FHWien der WKW – University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication
FHWien der WKW is Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management & communication. Working in close contact with Austrian corporations, FHWien der WKW offers comprehensive and practice-oriented academic programs to over 2,800 Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Two thirds of our teaching staff have a background in business. Our programs are tailored to the needs of companies, optimally preparing our students for their future careers. Since its foundation in 1994, FHWien der WKW has already produced around 14,400 graduates.
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