World Solar Challenge 2025​

World Solar Challenge Dutch Finish Line Event​

29 August 2025, University of the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide Campus

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Friday 29 August we celebrated the Dutch Successes in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.  DutchSA and the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sydney hosted a function with presentations by team captains of the winner and the runner up in the world championship for solar cars – both from The Netherlands (teams from the universities of Delft and Twente) and a keynote by emeritus professor Boland about the electrification of South Australia.

Edwin Roman, President Australian Netherlands Chamber of Commerce SA (DutchSA)John Boland, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Mathematics at University of South AustraliaRoberta Crouch, Academic Director and Principal, University of the Sunshine Coast (Adelaide Campus)Hugo Klijn, Netherlands Consul-General to Australia (Consulate-General Sydney)Frank Weits, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to South Australia and the Northern Territory

Panel Discussion with (left to right): Danny Kennedy, Director Global Solar CouncilDaniel Wonink, Team Captain Twente Solar TeamElias Wawoe, Team Captain Delft/Brunel Solar TeamSaul Griffith, Founder and Chief Scientist at Otherlab, Founder and Chief Scientist at Rewiring America

Introduction by Hon. Zoe Bettison MP, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs for the Government of South Australia. We were pleased to also have shadow minister for Housing, the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC (with proud Dutch heritage) in attendance.Impressive presentation by the Brunel Solar Team captain Elias Wawoe about the 3000km race from Darwin to Adelaide using only the energy from the Sun.

Important keynote by Professor Boland, showing scientifically that the chance of blackouts due to long periods without wind and sun is very small and most likely to happen in spring when energy demand is at its lowest point.Host venue University of the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide Campus, with a welcome by Professor Roberta Couch, Principal & Academic Director and catering and organisation services provided by DutchSA

Event Slides

Event Slides Deck with the Presentations from:

– Emeritus Professor John Boland – South Australia 100% Electricity from Variable Renewable Energy by 2027

– Elias Wawoe – Team Captain of the winning team of the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (Brunel Solar Team; University Delft)