Serendipity

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QLvBKsyCvatsWnO3eSaOR-ESvYxAjH0h/view?usp=sharing

https://youtu.be/_L1DBjdAax0

The Serendipity team created Venus Power, a self-sustaining energy generating system to last 60 days, even with the adverse conditions of the planet.

Considering the extreme scenario of Venus, which makes the use of common chemical batteries unfeasible, our solution, Venus Power, is based on a system composed of a mechanical battery, flywheel, which despite being rudimentary, with the advancement of technology has become increasingly once again an excellent option for energy storage. The flywheel receives an input of kinetic energy through a motor coupled to its base, causing it to rotate at high rpm and, because it has an axis with super magnets, it remains “floating” in the magnetic field, reducing energy losses due to friction, and inertia, mainly because this whole system is in a vacuum package. In this way, these rotations will be converted into electrical energy being able to power large systems.

With that in mind, our system will perform the first load of the Flywheel using the gigantic energy released in the atmospheric entry and descent, converting the thermal energy into electrical energy for the rotation of the motor coupled to the flywheel. In this way, the lander or rover that will reach the surface will be ready to start its operation.

Regarding the application in long missions, our system becomes self-sufficient so that, after the first charge, it will be possible to use solar panels and wind turbines to constantly recharge the flywheel for more than 60 days, since it has about 100,000 life cycles.

This prototype, in addition to contributing to the expansion of missions and discoveries on Venus, can be adapted to scenarios on Earth, from the automotive, real estate to industrial sectors.

Another interesting comparison is that the costs of this project are much lower than any battery creation that works on the planet, not least because the planet's hostile environment makes it impossible to use batteries, which have efficiency and effectiveness to last.

For inspiration and theoretical basis, all references made available by NASA were used, more specifically, initially in the article Energy Storage Technologies for Future Planetary Science Missions, obtaining a knowledge base regarding possible technologies to be used, such as primary batteries, rechargeable batteries, capacitors and fuel cells, as well as a greater understanding of the hostile environment of Venus, especially in relation to pressure and temperature on its surface.

In order to understand the importance of space exploration on Venus, a background was taken in the GMS: Venus in a Minute article, understanding that Venus may have been much more Earth-like than its current climate state, looking at how Venus evolved from a "habitable" state from past to present, and how it helps us understand our own destiny.

Another strong reference was about Automaton Rover for Extreme Environments (AREE) so that we could understand how our system could be protected, not worrying about a resistant encapsulation in this initial case. In addition, in this same article, it was read about the use of solar panels in conjunction with wind turbines for an adequate energy supply, as well as the possibility of applying the flywheel, especially in vacuum.

Regarding learning, we understand that not all innovative solutions can be easily applied. Well, we tried to use a battery, but in the research it became unfeasible. Ah, the question, but there is a prototype for testing that says that the battery provided by NASA can last 60 days. However, this battery has not been tested on Venus to verify effectiveness. Therefore, we opt for technologies that combine energy sources to achieve better energy efficiency. After all, when we started to develop energies, we went from more rudimentary forms to more potent ones. So first we need to know the territory, and then delve into new technologies.

Solving this problem was a pure puzzle game, but missing some pieces, for this we looked for theoretical references that worked to develop this prototype. And the missing pieces like the flywheel and we snapped it together to create Venus Power. Thus, the experience that remains was the most incredible possible, with a mixture of learning, emotions, tiredness and happiness of having managed to solve the problem.

Venus Power is not something by chance, but a providence of the universe. After all, nothing is created, nothing is lost, everything is transformed”, Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier.

Finally, I thank NASA for the opportunity to solve this problem. The city of Campo Mourão that made the Hackathon happen and the Serendipity team for the effort and work done.

For the project, the main references for developing the solution were found below.

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/549/energy-storage-technologies-for-future-planetary-science-missions/

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13640 

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/automaton-rover-for-extreme-environments-aree/ 

In order to illustrate the operation of Flywheel, the following was used as a reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhu3s1ut3wM&ab_channel=TomStanton 

To illustrate our value proposition, images of references taken from, respectively, were used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz_7UF4KQpk&ab_channel=Pinio 

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/06/21/concrete-flywheel-storage-system-for-residential-pv/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC0pHkstuF8&ab_channel=RicardoGroup 

In addition, it used the canva.com platform for the other graphic elements and development of the logo, visual identity and presentation slides.

#Venus #hardware #flywheel #battery #energy