DOI 10.4010/2016.872
ISSN 2321 3361 © 2016 IJESC
Research Article
Volume 6 Issue No. 4
Electricity Generation through Wheel Regenerative Braking System
Pratibha Patel1, Upwan Kumar Sahu2, Veena3, Rashmi Khutel4, Juli Singh Sadhak5
UG Scholar1, 2, 3, 4, Assistant Professor 5
Department of EEE
YITM, Chhattisgarh, India
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected]
Abstract:
Regenerative Braking System (RBS) is an efficient system to reduce the vehicle emission and fuel consumption. RBS is a system
which converts mechanical energy to electrical energy during braking action. It will become an important system for future vehicle
such as hybrid and electric car. Generally in automobiles whenever the brakes are applied the vehicle comes to a halt and the
kinetic energy gets wasted due to friction in the form of kinetic energy. Using regenerative braking system in automobiles enables
us to recover the kinetic energy of the vehicle to some extent that is lost during the braking process. In this paper the author
discusses two methods of utilizing the kinetic energy that is usually wasted by converting it into either electrical energy or into
mechanical energy. Regenerative braking system can convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy with help of electric motor.
And it can also convert the kinetic energy into mechanical energy, which is supplied to the vehicle whenever it is needed, with the
help of a flywheel.
Keywords: RBS- Regenerative Braking System, EHV- Electric Hybrid Vehicle, CBS- Conventional Braking System, EMElectrical Motors, EV – Electrical Vehicle ESU- Energy Storage Unit, CVT- Continuously Variable Transmission
I. INTRODUCTION
Regenerative Braking System:Regenerative Braking System is the way of slowing vehicle
by using the motors as brakes. Instead of the surplus energy
of the vehicle being wasted as unwanted heat, the motors act
as generators and return some of it to the overhead wires as
electricity.
The vehicle is primarily powered from the electrical energy
generated from the generator, which burns gasoline. This
energy is stored in a large battery, and used by an electric
motor that provides motive force to the wheels. The
regenerative braking taking place on the vehicle is a way to
obtain more efficiency; instead of converting kinetic energy
to thermal energy through frictional braking, the vehicle can
convert a good fraction of its kinetic energy back into charge
in the battery, using the same principle as an alternator.
Definition:Breaking method in which the mechanical energy from the
loads is converted in to electrical energy and regenerated
back in to the line is known as Regenerative Braking. The
motor operates as generator.
A. Introduction to Conventional Braking System
Braking in a moving vehicle means the application of the
brakes to slow or stop its movement, usually by depressing a
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pedal. The braking distance is the distance between the time
the brakes are applied and the time the vehicle comes to a
complete stop. When brakes are applied to a vehicle using
conventional braking system, kinetic energy is converted
into heat due to the friction between the wheels and brake
pads. This heat is carried away in the airstream and the
energy is wasted. The total amount of energy lost in this
process depends on how often, how hard and for how long
the brakes are applied.
B. Introduction to Regenerative Braking System
Regenerative braking is one of the emerging technologies
which can prove very beneficent. The use of regenerative
braking in a vehicle not only results in the recovery of the
energy but it also increases the efficiency of vehicle(in case
of hybrid vehicles) and saves energy, which is stored in the
auxiliary battery.
This technology of regenerative braking controls the speed
of the vehicle by converting a portion of the vehicle’s kinetic
energy into another useful form of energy. The energy so
produced could then be stored as electrical energy in the
automobile battery, or as mechanical energy in flywheels,
which can be used again by the vehicle.
The fig 1. shown below shows the simple representation of
regenerative braking system.
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Fig.1- Simple representation of regenerative braking system.
Regenerative braking refers to a process in which a portion
of the kinetic energy of the vehicle is stored by a short term
storage system. Energy normally dissipated in the brakes is
directed by a power transmission system to the auxiliary
battery during deceleration [1]. The energy that is stored by
the vehicle is converted back into kinetic energy and used
whenever the vehicle is to be accelerated. The magnitude of
the portion available for energy storage varies according to
the type of storage, drive train efficiency, and drive cycle
and inertia weight [1]. The effect of regenerative brakes is
less at lower speeds as compared to that at higher speeds of
vehicle. So the friction brakes are needed in a situation of
regenerative brake failure, to stop the vehicle completely.
III. WORKING OF REGENERATIVE BRAKING
USING ELECTRIC MOTOR
The working of the regenerative braking system depends
upon the working principle of an electric motor, which is the
important component of the system. Generally the electric
motor, is actuated when electric current is passed through it.
But, when some external force is used to actuate the motor
(that is during the braking process) then it behaves as a
generator and generates electricity. That is, whenever a
motor is run in one direction the electric energy gets
converted into mechanical energy, which is used to
accelerate the vehicle and whenever the motor is run in
opposite direction it functions as a generator, which converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy. This makes it
possible to employ the rotational force of the driving axle to
turn the electric motors, thus regenerating electric energy for
storage in the battery and simultaneously slowing the car
with the regenerative resistance of the electric motors [2].
This electricity is then used for recharging the battery and
also for some other purposes.
II. COMPONENTS OF REGENERATIVE BRAKING
SYSTEM
There are basic elements required which are necessary for
the working of regenerative braking system, these are:1. Energy Storage Unit (ESU):
The ESU’s are used to recover & store braking energy and
absorb excess engine energy during light load operation.
The selection criteria for an effective energy storage
includes1. High specific energy storage density
2. High energy transfer rate
3. Small space requirement
2. Control System:
An “ON-OFF” engine control system is used. That
means that the engine is “ON” until the energy storage has
been reached the desired charge capacity and then is
decoupled and stopped until the energy storage unit charge
fall below its minimum requirement.
3. Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT):
The energy storage unit requires a transmission that
can handle torque and speed demands in a steeples manner
smoothly control energy flow to and from the vehicle
because flywheel the continuously variable transmission and
vehicle because flywheel rotational speed increases when
vehicle speed decreases and vice versa.
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Fig.2-Energy conversion process in RBS
IV. BENEFITS OF REGENERATIVE BRAKING
SYSTEM
 Improved Fuel Economy- Dependent on duty cycles,
power train design, control strategy, and the efficiency
of individual components.

Increases the lifespan of friction braking system.

Reduction in Engine wears-An electric vehicle also
allows for regenerative breaking which increases
Efficiency and reduces wear on the vehicle brakes.

Approximately 20-25% saving in fuel consumption.

Reduction in Brake Wear- Reducing cost of replacement
brake linings cost of labor to install them, and vehicle
down time.

Emissions reduction- engine emissions reduced by
engine decoupling, reducing total engine revolutions
and total time of engine operation.

Operating range is comparable with conventional
vehicles- a problem not yet overcome by electric
vehicles.
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V.

DOWNSIDES OF REGENERATIVE
BRAKIBG SYSTEM
Only work for wheels connected to motors.

Aided complexity of brake control system.

Friction brakes are still necessary for safety.

Main disadvantage of this system when compared to
dynamic brake is needed to closely match the
electricity generated with the supply. With DC supply
this requires the voltage to be closely controlled and it
is only with the development of power electronics that
it has been possible with AC supply where the supply
frequency must also be matched.
VI.
APPLICATION
BRAKING SYSTEM
OF
REGENERATIVE
test conducted show that around 30% of the energy delivered
can be recovered by the system.
Regenerative braking system has a wide scope for
further development and the energy savings. The use of
more efficient systems could lead to huge savings in the
economy of any country. It can be operate at high
temperature range and are efficient as compare to
conventional braking system.
The regenerative braking system in vehicle satisfies
the purpose of saving apart of the energy loss during
braking.
It can be operated at high temperature range and
are efficient as compared to conventional braking system.
REFERENCES:-

For recovering Kinetic energy of vehicle lost during
braking process.
[1] Chen, J-X., Jiang, J-Z. Wang, X-J.“Research of Energy
Regeneration Technology in Electric Vehicle”, Shanghai
University Press, Vol. 7, No 2, 2003.

One theoretical application of regenerative braking
would be in a manufacturing plant that moves
material from one workstation to another on a
conveyer system that stops at each point.
[2] S.J.Clegg, “A Review of Regenerative Braking System”
Institute of Transport Studies, University of Leeds, Working
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
Regenerative braking is used in some elevator and
crane hoist motors.
[3] John M. Miller,“Propulsion Systems for Hybrid
Vehicles”, Institute of Electrical Engineers, UK, 2004.

Regenerative braking system is used in some cars
and railways.
VII. FUTURE SCOPE OF
BRAKING SYSTEM
REGENERATIVE
Regenerative braking systems require further research to
develop a better system that captures more energy and stops
faster. As the time passes, designers and engineers will
perfect regenerative braking systems, so these systems will
become more and more common. All vehicles in motion can
benefit from these systems by recapturing energy that would
have been lost during braking process.
Future technologies in regenerative brakes will
include new types of motors which will be more efficient as
generators, new drive train designs which will be built with
regenerative braking in mind, and electric systems which
will be less prone to energy losses.
VIII. CONCLUSION
The regenerative braking system used in the
vehicles satisfies the purpose of saving a part of the energy
lost during braking. Also it can be operated at high
temperature range and are efficient as compared to
conventional braking system. The results from some of the
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