KINETIC ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM (KERS)

Usage of energy wasted (as mainly heat) during breaking of F1cars for special Boosts

Currently produces 80bhp in F1(the power of an average sedan in India)

Used in F1 cars to rotate flywheel mechanism to generate mechanical energy from braking
Also

called Regenerative Braking

WHY TO USE IN ROAD CARS?

It can save upto 20-30% fuel depending on driving styles Very useful in start-stop motoring Its emission free energy so reduces overall carbon footprint of car Its light weight setup and thus doesnt add much to kerb weight Its cheap to research and apply, so can be used in most car and not just hyper-cars

RECENT ATTEMPTS

In 2010 Porsche unveiled a new concept supercar which they claim is close to production. It uses KERS from Williams F1. The Porsche 918 runs a 500bhp V8 petrol engine combined with a 218bhp electric motor.

RECENT ATTEMPTS(..contd)

Ferraris KERS hybrid supercar:

Based on a 599 GTB Fiorano but features a Kinetic Energy Recovery System similar to that used by the F1 team It also complies with future CO2 emissions standards

RECENT ATTEMPTS(..contd)

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid:

Uses technology supply by Williams Hybrid Power Attempt to contribute to cleaner and more powerful vehicles

VOLVO TO TAKE IT TO NEXT LEVEL

(Volvo is renowned for safe and sensible Road Cars) May 26, 2011:Volvo has announced plans to develop and test a new flywheel kinetic energy recovery system . While this doesn't sound terribly exciting, Volvo says the KERS is "a light, cheap and very eco-efficient solution that makes a four-cylinder engine feel like a six at the same time as fuel consumption drops with up to 20 percent." The details are fairly technical, but the KERS is fitted to the rear axle and collects rotational energy during deceleration. When the car starts moving again, the rotational energy is sent to the rear wheels through a specially-developed transmission. This setup allows the car's engine to be deactivated during deceleration and launch (ie: moving away from stop light) to improve fuel efficiency. If everything goes according to plan, the company will begin testing the system later this year with the hopes of launching it "within a few years."

VOLVO MECHANICAL KERS SYSTEM

VOLVO MECHANICAL KERS SYSTEM

KERS EXPLAINED BY VOLVO

TYPES OF KERS
Mechanical Electrical Hydraulic

Mechanical Energy Recovery

It consisted of using a carbon flywheel in a vacuum linked via a CVT transmission to the differential. This system stores the mechanical energy, offers a big storage capacity and has the advantage of being independent from the gearbox. However, to be driven precisely, it requires some powerful and bulky actuators, and lots of space.
This is the same as shown in the video by VOLVO.

Electrical Energy Recovery

Relies on an electrical motor, which works by charging the batteries under braking and releasing the power on acceleration. This system consists of three important parts: An electric motor (MGU: Motor Generator Unit) situated between the fuel tank and the engine, linked directly to the crankshaft of the V8 to deliver additional power. Some latest generation ion-lithium batteries (HVB: High Voltage Battery Pack) capable of storing and delivering energy rapidly. A control box (KCU: KERS Control Unit), which manages the behaviour of the MGU when charging and releasing energy. It is linked to the cars standard electronic control unit. This system is used in the famous car Toyota PRIUS which is a reliable and mass produced hybrid car.

Hydraulic Energy Recovery

The principle behind hydraulic KERS units, by contrast, is to reuse a vehicles kinetic energy by conducting pressurized hydraulic fluid into an accumulator during deceleration, then conducting it back into the drive system during acceleration.

But there are some fundamental problems here as well. One is the relatively low efficiency of rotary pumps and motors. Another is the weight of incompressible fluids. And a third is the amount of space needed for the hydraulic accumulators, and their awkward form factor. None of this matters too much in, say, heavy commercial vehicles but it makes this option unsuitable for road and racing cars.

THE PROBLEMS
Current cars like PRIUS are facing criticism for creating more pollution is in its manufacture than is gained back over its operating life. Batteries used currently are toxic and difficult to dispose off. KERS system can weight between 70-150 kgs and carrying extra weight consumes more fuel. So, overall benefits of this system are doubted.

CONCLUSIONS-THE WAY AHEAD

Changes in the materials in KERS system like carbon-fibre instead of steel in flywheel and use of silicon batteries for electrical energy storage can help in making the KERS system an undoubtedly viable system. With proper research and development, in City or Hill driving even with its extra weight, a properly designed KERS car would outperform any regular car as the energy would not be lost via braking/engine braking on descent.