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
 RECENT ATTEMPTS
In2010 Porsche unveiled a new concept supercar which
they claim is close to production. It uses KERS from
Williams F1.

ThePorsche 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
EnergyRecovery 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
VOLVO MECHANICAL KERS
SYSTEM
VOLVO MECHANICAL KERS
SYSTEM
KERS EXPLAINED BY
VOLVO
 TYPES OF KERS
Mechanical
Electrical
Hydraulic
 Mechanical Energy
Recovery
Itconsisted of using a carbon flywheel in a
vacuum linked via a CVT transmissionto the
differential. This system stores
themechanical 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.

Thisis the same as shown in the video by

VOLVO.
Electrical Energy Recovery
Relies on anelectrical 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 BatteryPack) 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
standardelectronic control unit.
 Hydraulic Energy
Recovery
The principle behind hydraulic KERS units, by contrast,
is to reuse a vehicleskinetic energyby conducting
pressurizedhydraulic fluidinto 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 thehydraulic 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 andracing 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.