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Formula One drives into the 21st century with KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=123094)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/BMW_F1_Race_Car.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - July 15, 2008

Munich – Hybridization of Formula One is well underway. At the start of next season, Formula One regulations allow for the use of hybrid technology to increase the output and efficiency of the Race cars. To this end, the BMW Formula One team is working flat out on the development of its own KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) brake energy regenerative system.

BMW Sauber F1 Team develops electric KERS system

KERS enables the regeneration and storage of braking energy, which is then put on tap as an extra source of power under acceleration to enhance the output of F1’s V8 engine. The BMW F1.09 will be equipped with the hybrid system consisting of a combination of electric motor and generator, the requisite power electronics and an energy storage module. The system will store enough energy under braking to provide an additional 80 HP of additional output over 6.5 seconds of acceleration. The total hybrid package will weigh in at less than 90 pounds. The power density of the F1 KERS technology is considerably greater than hybrid systems used in current production vehicles.

KERS will be given a baptism by fire as it is incorporated into Formula One with service life and reliability field data still unknown. Once the reliability and design questions have been answered on the track, a consumer variant may not be far behind.

The BMW Group currently includes a brake energy regeneration system in a large number of its series-produced models as part of its BMW EfficientDynamics package. It is also actively preparing to introduce BMW ActiveHybrid technology in various model series in the near future.

For those that follow F1 this is 'old news' but seeing it in the context of cleanmpg is good and puts it in a different light. This looks to be a potential application that will make it into road cars. I understand other KERS systems already exist but the level of engineering and efficiency required in Formula 1 will mean the research and development of such systems will be greatly enhanced. Not mentioned in the article is that the amount of energy captured by these KERS systems is limited by the regulations. It will increase incrimentally and eventually include KERS systems on both the front and rear axles.

Thanks for posting this Wayne.

Now we need a 3rd circuit for hypermilers. The un-race. Picture Wayne in old-style helmet & goggles P&Ging with 200psi. Everyone starts with the same fuel and state of charge.

Riveting television.

I get about 90 watt hrs of energy for the 80 hp for 6 seconds. This is probably less than one mile of 30 mph Prius travel? Does this seem right, it seems like too little energy -did I screw up the arithmetic

700 watts x80 hp = 56000 watts x 1/600 hr= ~ 90 watt hrs??

Of course this is great for formula 1 since they brake so often. It will allow smaller motors ,smaller fuel tanks etc. I wonder how much this will improve FE.

A system like this would be great for city delivery vehicles and city commute vehicles -heck all city vehicles !!

Charlie
I used 700 watts instead of 750=1 hp -easier arithmetic

Hi Jeremy:

___I think I have done three or maybe 4 News items on KERS over the past two years but this was the first in which I found that BMW was incorporating it into the next generation Sauber Formula One technology demonstrator vehicles. If the flywheel based system and housing can take the NVH and high G’s including impact of a Formula One vehicle during the course of a race and even through an accident, it can certainly be made safe for today’s average vehicle as well. It is a relatively simple design and with the right implementation, I would love to see it on some of the longer haul trucks in particular. Spool that baby up to max R’s before a 2,000 + foot climb and let her help get the big rig up and over. For us, Start/Stop solutions after first start in the morning and even EV modes would become available for far lower costs than what we have available to us today!

___Ksstathead, the most boring televised automotive related sport ever to be broadcast in the history of the world! Viewership ratings? 0.003 as my mom would be the only one watching and even then for only a few minutes ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne