Educational Gaming Commons - Press Start

Eco-Racer

Faculty Partner: Peter Idowu

Dr. Idowu is a member of the faculty at Penn State Harrisburg's School of Science, Engineering and Technology.  He teaches courses in electric power, energy systems, and conversion.  The exploration of learning through games and visualization concepts has become a regular part of learning objectives in these courses.  E-Trax, a two-player car racing game was developed in Summer 2007 with the goal of generating enthusiasm in electric power and energy among students enrolled in these classes. Eco-Racer is a single player game that evolved from this initial effort.

Download (add link here) - PC Only

Description

EcoRacer is a simple car racing game where a player completes laps around a racing track with the engine that offers the best speed, fuel use and least impact on the environment.  The racecar has four engines that may be activated (one at a time) anytime during the game. The goal of the game is to score high by finishing in the least amount of time while producing the least emissions.

•  Gasoline Engine
  • Strengths – Great speed. Performs well rain or shine.
  • Weaknesses – Uses fuel quickly. Cannot recharge. High emissions.
•  Solar Engine
  • Strengths – Uses fuel slowly. Can recharge. No emissions.
  • Weaknesses – Low speed. Needs strong sunlight to work well, so is unpredictable.

•   Wind Engine
  
  • Strengths – Good speed. Mild use of fuel. Can recharge. No emissions.
  • Weaknesses – Dependent on current wind speed, so is unpredictable.

•  Hydrogen Engine
  
  • Strengths – Average speed. Can recharge (via wind and solar power).
  • Weaknesses – Uses fuel fairly quickly. Low emissions (hydrogen production based on electricity from fossil fuel).

Learning Objectives

Given a mix of energy sources (fossil, wind, solar, and hydrogen) for completing a task (racing around the track) the student will be able to determine the following:

1. Impact of various energy sources on the environment (measured by Emission Reduction Credit – ERC instrument).
Reduction in ERC is observed with use of fossil energy while ERC improves with use of renewable sources.

2. Variability of the quantity of energy available for conversion from renewable sources (for charging the racecar battery pack).
Typically dependent on time of day, season, location, conversion equipment, etc. (This is measured by wind and solar instruments).

3. Availability of energy on demand.
Replenishing energy used up through renewable sources takes time (charging the batteries).

4. Energy options offering attractive performance characteristics (speed, power, higher power/energy density).
Fossil-based gasoline engine offers all the desirable characteristics for racing.  Other options do not (battery storage technology).

5. Matching energy needs with environmental impact require a balance in the mix of energy options available.
A high score in the racing game will demonstrate this objective is achieved.