FRD joins with Chinese Academy of Sciences for green tech

FRD confirms partnership with Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Advanced Research Institute to bring green to Chinese motorsport

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Shanghai Advanced Research Institute and Formula Racing Development Ltd; (FRD) confirmed their partnership to work on and develop a "Green Energy" race car project. CAS and FRD will jointly establish "CAS Shanghai Advanced Research Institute FRD electric drive system R&D center" in the FRD facility inside the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC). Bill Jiang PhD, Vice President of CAS Shanghai Advanced Research Institute and Kenneth Ma, President of FRD, signed the agreement early March, 2010.

The first stage of the project will be conducted around the core value of CAS-"Low Carbon, Green & Intelligent" to build up a technical innovation "ecotype" base. The R&D center will design and produce a prototype race car utilizing an electric drive system developed by CAS and supported by the race car development and production capability from FRD. Both parties are confident that after successful testing and development, the product will be used to start a new green racing series in China in the near future.

The 2010 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen forged a global response and increased concern over the environmental impact of the petroleum-based transportation. The spectre of peak oil & global warming led to the renewed interest in an electric transportation infrastructure in automotive industry around the world. Chinese representative announced to the world about China's determined devotion in global carbon reduction. This specific project represents a perfect timing of supporting China's effort.

CAS, as the top Chinese science institution, started developing an electric drive and control system 3 years ago. Bill Jiang PhD, Vice President of CAS Shanghai Advanced Research Institute is very optimistic about this opportunity to put the Institute's exciting R&D result into active commercial use. Kenneth Ma, President of FRD, indicated:"The 'Green Energy' project is a new attempt for not only FRD, but also Chinese motorsport. Forming partnership with top institute like CAS Shanghai signifies a further step towards FRD's business diversification process. This project keeps up with the trend of our times and we can certainly expect a promising future from it."

FRD is currently working on a detailed business plan to address the project time line, budgeting, and resource organization. CAS is also actively organizing the required technical resource and equipment to support this project.

As a result of the green nature of the project, CAS and FRD are expecting to attract more partners to join and provide their assistance to this project.

-source: frd