Zytek develop KERS for Formula One

Formula 1 is set for dramatic change with the introduction of new rules which permit the use of energy recovery systems from 2009. The goal is to make Formula 1 more relevant to the latest developments in energy-efficient road car engineering by promoting technologies to recover the energy currently wasted during braking.

Zytek have won a two year contract to develop and supply Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) for the 2009 season, when the regulations permitting the use of hybrid auxiliary drives become effective. Zytek had discussions with a number of F1 teams but finally agreed an exclusive deal with one team. The programme is in three phases of development: Bench/dyno system, Mule car development, and culminates with the development of a fully ‘Race-ready’ system.

The new regulations pose significant engineering challenges and there are many options to store and use the energy, such as high speed flywheels, hydraulics, pneumatics or electric drives. The system must recover and store energy under braking, and then release the energy on command by the driver.

The new regulations offer engineers a technology ‘clean sheet’ with very few constraints. There are no weight restrictions for the system, although energy can only be captured or released at a maximum rate of 60 kW, and a maximum of 400 kJ can be stored in any one lap. KERS energy can, for example, be released during a period of acceleration, and its use may be particularly advantageous when exiting corners or for tricky overtaking manoeuvres.

With a short development timeframe before the introduction of KERS, Zytek are focussed on developing and delivering a competitive system for the 2009 F1 season.