Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) captures kinetic energy lost during vehicle braking and stores it to provide a power boost. A KERS has three main components: a Motor Generator Unit that converts kinetic energy to electrical energy, a Power Control Unit that controls energy flow, and a Storage Unit like a battery or flywheel. In the energy capture phase, braking kinetic energy is stored. In the energy storage phase, the energy is held until needed. In the energy release phase, stored energy boosts vehicle power. KERS improves performance and efficiency by reusing lost energy. While adding weight and cost, KERS benefits include increased sustainability and reduced emissions. KERS is used in motorsports, industrial equipment, and bicy

1. Kinetic Energy Recovery System
LIKHITH KUMAR N [4MC19ME066]
Seminar on Advanced Topic 2022-23
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan
Guide:
Dr.K.R.Dushyantkumar
Professor

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Components of KERS
 Phases of KERS
 Types of KERS
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 Applications
 Conclusion
 References

3. Introduction
 KERS stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System.
 During braking, energy is wasted because kinetic energy is mostly
converted into heat energy that is dissipated into the environment.
 Vehicles with KERS are able to harness some of this kinetic energy
and in doing so will assist in braking.
 KERS is a collection of parts which takes some of the kinetic
energy of a vehicle under deceleration, stores this energy and then
releases this stored energy back into the drive train of the vehicle,
providing a power boost to that vehicle.

4.  For the driver, it is like having two power sources at his disposal,
one of the power sources is the engine while the other is the stored
kinetic energy.
 KERS is becoming increasingly popular in the automotive
industry, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles, as it can help to
reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.

5. COMPONENTS OF KERS
 In construction KERS , we need a component for generating the
power, one for storing it and another to control it all.
 Thus KERS systems have three main components:
 Motor Generator Unit (MGU)
 Power Control Unit (PCU)
 Storage Unit
1. Motor Generator Unit (MGU)
 The MGU is the key component of the KERS system that converts
the captured kinetic energy into usable electrical energy.

6. COMPONENTS OF KERS
 The MGU is essentially an electric motor that can also function as
a generator.
 When the KERS system captures kinetic energy during braking or
deceleration, the MGU converts that energy into electrical energy
that can be stored and used later.
 During the energy release phase, the MGU can also function as an
electric motor to provide additional power to the vehicle. This can
help improve acceleration and overall performance.

7. 2.PCU
 It serves two purposes,
To invert and control the switching of current from the
batteries to the MGU and secondly
To monitor the status of the individual cells with the battery.
3.Storage Unit:
 Either battery/capacitor or flywheel is used as storage unit
 Its function is to store the energy generated by MGU
7

8. PHASES OF KERS
• Energy Capture Phase:
 The KERS system captures kinetic energy that is generated when
a vehicle decelerates or brakes.
 This energy is typically stored in a battery or other energy
storage device, such as a flywheel or hydraulic accumulator.
• Energy Storage Phase:
 Once the kinetic energy is captured, it is stored in the energy
storage device until it is needed.
 The energy storage device can hold the energy for a short period
or for an extended period, depending on the specific KERS
system.
8

9. • Energy Release Phase:
 During the energy release phase, the stored energy is
released to provide additional power to the vehicle.
 This can happen in a variety of ways depending on the
specific KERS system, including through an electric
motor or a hydraulic pump.
 Once the energy is released, it is used to provide
additional power to the vehicle, which can improve
performance and fuel efficiency.
 In some cases, the KERS system can provide an extra
boost of power for short periods, such as during
acceleration or passing.
9

10. 10

11. Types of KERS
 There are three basic types of KERS systems:
Electronical KERS
Mechanical KERS
 The main difference between them is in the way they convert
the energy and how it is stored within the vehicle.

12. Electrical KERS
 In electrical KERS, braking rotational force is captured by an
electric MGU mounted to the engines crankshaft.
 This MGU takes the electrical energy that it converts from
kinetic energy and stores it in batteries.
 The boost button then summons the electrical energy in the
batteries to power the MGU.
 Super-capacitors can also be used to store electrical energy
instead of batteries
 They run cooler and are debatably more efficient.

13. Mechanical KERS
 The mechanical KERS system has a flywheel as the energy
storage device
 The kinetic energy of the vehicle ends up as kinetic energy of a
rotating flywheel through the use of shafts and gears.
 Unlike Electrical KERS, this method of storage prevents the
need to transform energy from one type to another
 To cope with the continuous change in speed ratio between the
flywheel and road-wheels, a continuously variable
transmission (CVT) is used.

14. Advantages
Versatility: KERS can be used in a variety of vehicle types, including
cars, trucks, and buses.
Sustainable Transportation: KERS is a key technology for
sustainable transportation, as it allows for the efficient capture and
reuse of energy, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and
promoting sustainable energy sources.
Increased Performance: KERS can provide a boost of power during
acceleration, which can improve the overall performance of the
vehicle.
Reduced Emissions: By improving fuel efficiency, KERS can help
reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by a vehicle.

15. Limitations
Additional Weight: KERS systems require additional components,
such as an energy storage device and an MGU, which can add weight
to the vehicle and affect its overall performance.
Cost: KERS systems can be expensive to implement, which can make
them less accessible for some vehicle manufacturers and consumers.
Limited Energy Storage Capacity: KERS systems typically have
limited energy storage capacity, which can limit the amount of energy
that can be captured and reused.
Limited Effectiveness at High Speeds: KERS systems are typically
more effective at lower speeds, as the amount of kinetic energy that
can be captured and reused decreases at higher speeds.

16. Applications
 Formula One racing:
 KERS was first introduced in Formula One racing in 2009 as a way
to provide an additional power boost to the cars during races.
 The technology has since been used in various forms of motorsports,
including endurance racing and touring car racing.
 Industrial equipment:
 KERS can also be used in industrial equipment such as cranes and
forklifts.
 Bicycle technology:
 KERS can also be used in bicycles to provide an extra power boost
to riders, particularly during uphill climbs
16

17. Conclusion
Despite the limitations, KERS technology has the potential to
significantly improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles, and
continued research and development in this field is important for
achieving sustainable transportation.
In conclusion, KERS technology is a promising development in the
automotive industry, and while there are challenges to be addressed,
the benefits of this technology make it an important area of focus for
future research and development.

18. References
1. Han, W., Zhang, G., & Li, Q. (2019). Experimental study on kinetic energy recovery
system for hybrid electric vehicles. Energy Procedia, 158, 1738-1744. [1]
2. Agrawal, A., & Krishnamoorthy, V. (2018). Development of kinetic energy recovery
system for a Formula SAE race car. International Journal of Engineering and Technology,
7(3.23), 244-247[2]
3. Md Zain, M. Z., & Ishak, M. (2019). The potential of kinetic energy recovery systems in
road vehicles. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences,
56(2), 215-226.[3]
4. Chopra, P., & Singh, Y. (2016). An overview of kinetic energy recovery systems for
automotive applications. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 11(12),
8468-8473.[4]
5. Konopacki, K., & Skala, J. (2014). Design and implementation of KERS on a Formula
SAE car. SAE International Journal of Alternative Powertrains, 3(1), 50-56. [5]

19. 19
THANK YOU