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Be sure to review the schedule and procedures for submitting a solution. Challenge by The Hershey Company Transportation Department:
Background: The recent hurricane season has illustrated quite clearly the delicate balance of supply and demand of energy, not only in our nation, but also the world. In fact, some scientists predict that the world's supply of oil may even be exhausted in as little as twenty years !! To bring that into perspective, you may be the last generation driving gasoline fueled cars ! In the meantime, energy costs have skyrocketed. Our distribution network, the network that brings all of your favorite Hershey products to a store near you, is a tremendous consumer of energy. From the electricity that keeps our huge distribution centers (40 football fields would fit inside one!!) at 55 degrees in the hot August sun, to the millions of gallons of diesel fuel that our fleets of trucks consume each year, we are an extremely energy intensive business. Details: There is an important concept in science that says that energy is never created or destroyed, it just changes forms. While this may seem complicated at first, it is fairly simple concept and understanding it will help to develop creative and practical applications of alternative energy. For Example: How could we capture the "energy" of the night coolness to chill our distribution centers during the day? Is anyone doing this and if so how? What about the "energy" in the ground? It is 55 degrees year round, how can it be tapped?. Since the distribution center is as large as 40 football fields, is there a practical solar application that could be used? Is anyone doing this and if so how? Hybrid cars are becoming more popular, how about hybrid trucks? Are other alternative technologies being used to power delivery fleets in Europe or Asia where fuel is even more expensive than the U.S.? Which universities are leading the effort in this area? Is anyone using waste oil (motor or food processing) to power vehicles and still meet emissions requirements? Are there other technologies like fuel cells that are promising for trucks? Approach: Assume the role of a consulting company. Your mission is to present a business case that either supports the introduction of new energy technologies into the distribution world or defends current practices as being economically justified. The Hershey Company Challenge Schedule and Procedures: Step #1: Registration Forms Submittal (also complete typed proposal electronic submittal instructions, below) — Be sure to view the rules, registration and forms. You must submit completed registration forms and contract forms for The Hershey Company Challenge via US postal mail to:
Step #2: Typed Proposal Electronic Submittal (also complete registration forms submittal instructions, above) — You must submit your typed proposal for The Hershey Company Challenge in acceptable electronic format* via e-mail to:
Step #3: Oral Finals Notification — If your solution is selected as a finalist, your team coordinator will be notified by February 24, 2006 that your team has been chosen to present your solution at the oral finals. The finals will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at The Hershey Company Corporate Headquarters, 100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey PA.
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