An essential component of Formula One’s hybrid power system is the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, or KERS. Presented in 2009, KERS plans to advance harmless to the ecosystem and street vehicle important advancements in F1. Since its widespread adoption in 2011, the component has served as the foundation of hybrid power units.
The Energy Recovery System includes KERS. When a driver applies the brake, it restores the heat-loss kinetic energy. The bridled energy can be put away in the battery for later sending. It is primarily a system for converting energy into electrical energy by converting wasted kinetic energy. Mechanical and electrical KERS are the two main types of KERS that are utilized extensively in automobiles. A flywheel stores energy in the mechanical system.
Engine details
Under current guidelines, MGU-K is at the core of KERS. The Motor Generating Unit-Kinetic is an electric generator that uses braking heat to generate electricity.
The changed over energy is put away in the Energy Store (ES). FIA controls the energy that can be collected (2 MJ per lap) and sent (4 MJ per lap) in a solitary lap.
Drivers can use the “overtake” button to use more battery power when they defend or attack. The engine benefits from the additional energy provided by the MGU-K attached to the crankshaft.
KERS was not well-received by teams in its early years, despite being successfully integrated into one of the most complex machinery in motorsport. The majority of teams avoided the system in 2009 because it made the car heavier.
Despite remaining legal, all teams agreed not to use the system the following year. Just in 2011 did a large portion of the groups utilized the recuperation framework.
As F1 went through a significant guideline change in 2014, introducing the super mixture period, so did the KERS framework. It just turned out to be all the more remarkable as its ability was raised from 60kW (generally 80bhp) to 120kW (generally 160bhp). This was done as the more powerful 2.4-liter V8 engine was replaced by the new 1.6-liter V6 engine.
What does the future hold for KERS in F1?
Because it remains an essential component of the car’s power unit, KERS will remain in Formula One for many more years. The MGU-K’s power output will nearly match that of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) as a result of the regulation changes in 2026, which will triple the power output from 120kW to 350kW.
Additionally, the MGU-H (Motor Generating Unit – Heat) will no longer be utilized, as stated in the regulations for 2026. MGU-H is novel to F1 vehicles and isn’t important for the creation vehicles. MGU-K, on the other hand, is utilized in various forms in electric automobiles, which will soon account for the majority of the automobile market.
F1 aspires to carry on the research and development of these technologies for use in road vehicles. It also achieves its goal of cutting down on carbon emissions thanks to the rule change.