What is this KERS?
It’s a system you store the energy produced under braking in a reservoir (either batteries or flywheel) in order to release it under acceleration.
there only one way to recover the energy and reuse it?
Absolutely not; the engineers have a choice between two different approaches. The first 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. The second option was to rely on an electrical motor, which works by charging the batteries under braking and releasing the power on acceleration.
With the electrical solution, the 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 car’s standard electronic control unit.
What can the main challenges encountered during the development of the system?
Firstly, it was necessary to deal with the weight and volume of the system, which adds considerable weight in comparison with the car. This means there is less ballast available for the engineers to redistribute in order to balance the chassis. Also, the cooling of the batteries is of great importance and it was necessary to develop a specific system for them.
Does the MGU have to be positioned between the engine and the fuel tank?
No. It’s possible to situate it parallel to the gearbox in the rear of the car. So it’s connected straight to the rear wheels and releases its power through the differential.
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