Formula 1 Cars and Mazda Recover Waste Energy

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation 3 Comments

David Bettencourt, a criminal defense attorney and aviation lawyer in Hawaii, is a follower of Formula 1 racing and energy-efficient systems.  He filed a brief with your editor on the following. Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) were a relatively new thing in Formula 1 racing in 2009, had significant development problems and were banned in 2010.   Reinstated in 2011, the systems recover the kinetic energy present in the waste heat created by the brakes and exhausts. The energy is then stored in a battery or a light, extremely high-speed flywheel, converted into power and can then deliver a maximum of 60 kilowatts (80 horsepower), which can be called upon by the driver to boost acceleration for up to 6.6 seconds per lap. Williams is a major Formula 1 constructor and developer.  Sam Michael, Williams technical director, explains.  “The rules have changed since KERS was last used in F1.  Re-fuelling is no longer permitted, so the packaging is different now. We …