The Covenant University’s Electric Automobile Research Cluster has wowed people with their latest invention referred to as, Covenant University Integrated Dual Engine Automobile system, also known as the CU IDEA.
The CU IDEA assembled and designed three auto mobiles ranging from two saloon cars both with and without Air-condition to a tri-cycle popularly known as “Keke Napep”.
These new inventions were made and displayed to commemorate the 60th birthday of their Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo which took place some days earlier.
It was learnt that the research cluster team was sponsored by the University under the supervision of Professor James Omoleye who is also the Head of Department of Chemical Engineering,.
According to information divulged at the University’s website, CovenantUniversity.edu.ng, one of the unique things about the research products was the dual usage of electricity and fuel powering systems respectively which increases the miles covered by the cars with 350% and reduces fuel usage. It was learnt that it will consume about one litre of fuel per 60 kilometer.
Professor Omoleye in his bid to explain this fact said, “That is, if other cars can cover a distance of 50 kilometres before the batteries require charging, CU IDEA is able to cover three and half (200 kilometres) before it will require charging.”.
According to the professor, the cars can function with the two engines at the same time which informed the name “Dual Engine”.
“Another advantage of the products is that, they are able to eliminate atmospheric emission, which is a concern all over the world,” he added.
The professor further stated that the inception of the research work dated back to 2009, when the institution received research donation from the foundation owned by their Chancellor known as David Oyedepo Foundation. “Within one year, the researchers were able to design and assemble the dual engine and replace the fuel combustion engine from imported cars. We did the same thing for saloon cars and a tri-cycle, we also introduced Air-condition and it was a success”, he explained.
Meanwhile, he further stated that the dual can easily adapt to any renewable energy owing to its flexibility.
“The dual engine is not limited to battery and fuel alone. It uses battery and fuel for now because petroleum is still our business in Nigeria. But we know very soon, there is going to be breakthrough in other renewable energy sources.
“So, the dual engine we have designed has the ability of replacing the fuel proportion section with the fuel cell. In that case, it would be battery and fuel cell. It is also flexible that, if tomorrow the Solar Energy becomes efficient; our system can also incorporate battery and Solar Engine to do the same thing. In fact, any renewable energy system that comes up will be good enough for our system”, he disclosed.
At this juncture, he expressed deep gratitude to the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Regents of the University, Dr. David Oyedepo, for the support the CU IDEA has received so far. “He has passion for practical researches that will contribute to the lives of the people in the society as well as create solution where there is any problem. He gave us full support for what would make the work successful”.
Also, Professor Omoleye thanked the Institution’s Management, headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, for their full support.
“All we are doing right now is to make it perfect for commercialization”, he said.
See photos of the cars below:
