FIA Kinetic Recovery System (KERS)
For the 2009 season the FIA has made it mandatory within the Formula 1 regulations for all teams to implement a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).
This system will be designed to recover kinetic energy from the car during braking, store that energy and make it available to propel the car. The maximum power, in or out, of the KERS must not exceed 60kW and energy released from the system may not exceed 400kJ in any one lap. This equates to about 6.5 seconds of boost per lap controlled by the driver.
The AeroVironment ABC-170CE is dual channel cycling station that has bi-directional load capability. In essence this means that it can be used to simulate and test batteries, hybrids and other HEV and EV applications that require high discharging capability.
In the specific case of the ABC-170CE the voltage range is 8 to 420VDC, current source +530ADC, current sink -640ADC with a power range of +125kW to -170kW. This makes it an ideal tool for testing and simulating to the new 2009, F1, KERS regulations.