Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) - Summary Reader Response Draft 3

The Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) was originally introduced in Formula 1 in 2009 (AZoM, 2023). It is an electro-mechanical system for vehicles that works by capturing and converting kinetic energy during braking into electrical energy stored in a battery (Racecar Engineering, 2009). Upon acceleration, the stored energy provides an extra power boost, improving overall vehicle performance and efficiency (Baliga, 2023). The battery, which stores the energy, is connected to an electric motor mounted at one end of the engine crankshaft. The driver will then press a KERS button to activate the stored electrical energy to be used as kinetic energy for additional horsepower for a limited duration (AZoM, 2023).

The integration of KERS used in mass-produced cars stands as a transformative advancement by revolutionizing emissions reduction through regenerative braking but also amplifying driving dynamics for users on public roads. This is environmentally friendlier as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be an added safety feature in assisting drivers to get out of sticky situations when driving near heavy vehicles for example.

Chase (2019) emphasises an example of a car that was mass-produced with KERS which is the Volvo XC90 2020 crossover. The car has been proven to reap the benefits of KERS through Volvo's testing which revealed that the new electrified powertrain provides up to 15 percent reduction in fuel usage and emissions in real driving conditions. KERS also adds up to 20 horsepower, for a new total of 420 horsepower to the 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 (Chase, 2019). Thus, this proves that it helps to improve fuel consumption and overall power concerning driving dynamics.

KERS stands as a transformative advancement as it has lots of benefits with respect to overall performance and being environmentally friendlier than vehicles without KERS. It helps to reduce emissions by harnessing and storing energy that would otherwise be wasted during braking, and reducing fuel usage when accelerating as it would not require power from the engine as much (Chandra, et al. 2017). This shows that it improves the overall fuel efficiency and reduces the carbon footprint of vehicles with KERS as compared to fully petrol-fueled cars with the same distance traveled. Hence, it is better for the environment in terms of air pollution.

The process of converting kinetic energy into electrical energy during deceleration and storing it for later involves the friction that comes from recovering the kinetic energy also known as regenerative braking (Jones & Johnson 2020). This slows the vehicle down more when braking leading to less usage of the brakes. Consequently, this confirms that KERS helps with reducing brake wear and extending the lifespan of brakes.

KERS delivers an additional source of power during acceleration, as it drives more torque to the drivetrain that it is connected to (Smith, 2019). When strategically integrated into the vehicle's chassis, the added weight of KERS components can contribute to better weight distribution and improved handling characteristics (Taylor & Johnson, 2017). Improved driving dynamics have also been proven through its application in F1 cars despite adding 35 kilograms to the total weight of the vehicle as it provides approximately 80 brake horsepower extra for up to 6.67 seconds a lap giving them a boost when overtaking and attacking corners (AZoM, 2023). 

With a focus on motorsports, the possible cons for KERS to be implemented on mass-produced cars would be the cost, complexity, and reliability concerns. Logically, with complex systems such as KERS, the manufacturing and maintenance costs to consider will definitely be higher than cars without KERS.

Midway Research (2023) addresses the high implementation cost of KERS compared to conventional systems that may hinder widespread adoption. Nevertheless, despite these cons, the overall outlook for the KERS market remains optimistic. Projections show a compound annual growth rate of 14% during the forecasted period, motivated by factors such as demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, initiatives by the government to reduce emissions, and the research and development sector advancements in the automotive industry (Midway Research 2023). This indicates that KERS still has potential for demand and improvements in optimisation in terms of the daily usage of mass-produced cars.

In conclusion, even with all the challenges and concerns, the widespread adoption of KERS is still poised to play an important part in moving the industry towards advancements and demand for sustainable transportation solutions as it extends beyond lowering emissions. It also represents a crucial step towards encouraging sustainable transportation and a greener future for generations to come as consumers can make a tangible and positive impact.

References:

AZoM. (2023, March 29). Kinetic energy recovery system for the automotive industry. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=9503

Baliga, B. J. (2023). IGBT applications: industrial. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 305–355). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-99912-0.00021-0

Chandra, M et al. (2017). Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research, 7(3), 33. https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/265049-kinetic-energy-recovery-system-kers-b11863a7.pdf

Chase, C. (2019, February 22). Volvo refreshes 2020 XC90 with energy recovery braking system. AutoTrader.ca. https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/20190222/volvo-refreshes-2020-xc90-with-energy-recovery-braking-system/

Jones, R., & Johnson, L. (2020). The Role of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems in Sustainable Transportation. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 14(3), 187-200.

Midway Research. (2023, October 4). Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) Market Size, Growth and Forecast from 2023 - 2030. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kinetic-energy-recovery-system-kers-market-size-growth/

Racecar Engineering. (2009, April 14). The Basics of F1 KERS. https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/the-basics-of-f1-kers/

Smith, E. (2019). Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems: Performance Benefits and Challenges. Journal of Automotive Engineering, 35(2), 87-101.

Taylor, M., & Johnson, L. (2017). Performance Evaluation of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems in Racing Cars. International Journal of Motorsport Engineering and Technology, 5(2), 123-135.