Implementation Feasibility and Efficiency of Automobile Energy Recovery Systems
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Implementation Feasibility and Efficiency of Automobile Energy Recovery Systems

Zicheng Zhong 1* Zhixing Chen 2, Haolin Pan 3, Zichen Xu 4, Kailiang Yang 5
1 AP Department of Shanghai Pinghe School
2 International Department of The Affiliated High School of SCNU,
3 University of Warwick
4 Shanghai Baoshan World Foreign Language School
5 Shenghua Zizhu Academy
*Corresponding author: zhongzicheng2008@163.com
Published on 2 October 2025
Journal Cover
ACE Vol.188
ISSN (Print): 2755-273X
ISSN (Online): 2755-2721
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-397-0
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-398-7
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Abstract

This study will investigate five energy recovery systems. The feasibility of implementation and fuel efficiency are the standards for evaluating electric turbochargers (E-Turbos), mechanical flywheels, thermoelectric generators (TEGs), Rankine cycle generators and regenerative braking systems (RBSs). The feasibility of E-Turbos was evaluated under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC) and the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). RBSs showed high feasibility and recovered up to 50% of braking energy. TEGs generated an average of 5.8W of electrical energy. Flywheel energy storage systems (FESSs) can help buses increase efficiency by nearly 40%. An organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) generator can recover up to 34% of energy. RBSs were found to be the most effective and feasible solution among those evaluated. Future research should focus on optimizing the integration of regenerative braking system with hybrid or electric powertrains, and exploring the potential of combing multiple energy recovery methods and control strategies.

Keywords:

Energy recovery systems, Energy efficiency, Implementation feasibility

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Zhong,Z.;Chen,Z.;Pan,H.;Xu,Z.;Yang,K. (2025). Implementation Feasibility and Efficiency of Automobile Energy Recovery Systems. Applied and Computational Engineering,188,108-131.

References

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[10]. S. M. Lukic, J. Cao, R. C. Bansal, F. Rodriguez, and A. Emadi, “Energy Storage Systems for Automotive Applications, ” IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 2258–2267, June 2008, doi: 10.1109/TIE.2008.918390.

[11]. B. Bolund, H. Bernhoff, and M. Leijon, “Flywheel energy and power storage systems, ” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 235–258, Feb. 2007, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2005.01.004.

[12]. H. L. Benford and M. B. Leising, “The Lever Analogy: A New Tool in Transmission Analysis, ” SAE Trans., vol. 90, pp. 429–437, 1981.

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[15]. K. Van Berkel, T. Hofman, B. Vroemen, and M. Steinbuch, “Optimal energy management for a flywheel-based hybrid vehicle, ” in Proceedings of the 2011 American Control Conference, San Francisco, CA: IEEE, June 2011, pp. 5255–5260. doi: 10.1109/acc.2011.5990820.

[16]. G. Cong, N. Dawen, G. Linfu, X. Qicheng, and M. Shujian, “Simulation Research on Regenerative Braking Control Strategy of Hybrid Electric Vehicle, ” Energies, doi: 10.3390/en14082202.

[17]. “An overview of regenerative braking systems, ” J. Energy Storage, vol. 52, p. 105033, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.est.2022.105033.

[18]. S. Bai and C. Liu, “Overview of energy harvesting and emission reduction technologies in hybrid electric vehicles, ” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 147, p. 111188, Sept. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111188.

[19]. J. Kropiwnicki and T. Gawłas, “Energy efficiency of a car driving with regenerative braking, ” Combust. Engines, July 2025, doi: 10.19206/CE-207152.

[20]. S. Dabral, S. Basak, and C. Chakraborty, “Regenerative Braking Efficiency Enhancement using Pole-Changing Induction Motor, ” in IECON 2022 – 48th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, Oct. 2022, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/IECON49645.2022.9968341.

[21]. R. Capata and C. Toro, “Feasibility analysis of a small-scale ORC energy recovery system for vehicular application, ” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 86, pp. 1078–1090, Oct. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2014.06.024.

[22]. S. H. Kang, “Design and experimental study of ORC (organic Rankine cycle) and radial turbine using R245fa working fluid, ” Energy, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 514–524, May 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.02.035.

[23]. P. Skarke, S. Midlam-Mohler, and M. Canova, “Waste Heat Recovery From Internal Combustion Engines: Feasibility Study on an Organic Rankine Cycle With Application to the Ohio State EcoCAR PHEV, ” in ASME 2012 Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall Technical Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Sept. 2012, pp. 609–615. doi: 10.1115/icef2012-92018.

References

[1]. A. H. Zarawi and S. S. Yi, “Maximizing Energy Efficiency: Harnessing Thermoelectric Power from Car Exhaust for Battery Recharge, ” Evol. Electr. Electron. Eng., vol. 5, no. 1, Art. no. 1, Apr. 2024.

[2]. D. Ö. Esen and M. Kaya, “EXPLORING THERMOELECTRIC GENERATION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM EXHAUST GAS HEAT: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY”.

[3]. G. Ehlin and E. Vandor, “Electrically Assisted Turbocharger: Modelling and Control Strategy”.

[4]. I. Arsie, A. Cricchio, C. Pianese, M. D. Cesare, and W. Nesci, “A Comprehensive Powertrain Model to Evaluate the Benefits of Electric Turbo Compound (ETC) in Reducing CO2 Emissions from Small Diesel Passenger Cars, ” presented at the SAE 2014 World Congress & Exhibition, SAE International, Apr. 2014. doi: 10.4271/2014-01-1650.

[5]. F. P. Brito et al., “Efficiency improvement of vehicles using temperature controlled exhaust thermoelectric generators, ” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 203, p. 112255, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2019.112255.

[6]. C. C. Suciu, S. V. Igret, I. Vetres, and I. Ionel, “Review of the Integration of Hybrid Electric Turbochargers for Mass-Produced Road Vehicles, ” Energies, vol. 17, no. 6, Art. no. 6, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.3390/en17061484.

[7]. P. Dimitriou, R. Burke, Q. Zhang, C. Copeland, and H. Stoffels, “Electric Turbocharging for Energy Regeneration and Increased Efficiency at Real Driving Conditions, ” Appl. Sci., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 350, Apr. 2017, doi: 10.3390/app7040350.

[8]. A. Boretti, “Electric turbochargers in hydrogen internal combustion engines powered hybrid electric vehicles: Advancing performance, efficiency, and sustainability, ” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 103, pp. 690–700, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.01.225.

[9]. N. Bernard, H. B. Ahmed, B. Multon, C. Kerzreho, J. Delamare, and F. Faure, “Flywheel energy storage systems in hybrid and distributed electricity generation, ” 2003.

[10]. S. M. Lukic, J. Cao, R. C. Bansal, F. Rodriguez, and A. Emadi, “Energy Storage Systems for Automotive Applications, ” IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 2258–2267, June 2008, doi: 10.1109/TIE.2008.918390.

[11]. B. Bolund, H. Bernhoff, and M. Leijon, “Flywheel energy and power storage systems, ” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 235–258, Feb. 2007, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2005.01.004.

[12]. H. L. Benford and M. B. Leising, “The Lever Analogy: A New Tool in Transmission Analysis, ” SAE Trans., vol. 90, pp. 429–437, 1981.

[13]. “Feasibility Analysis and Performance Evaluation of a Novel Power-Split Flywheel Hybrid Vehicle.” Accessed: July 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https: //www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/7/1744

[14]. “Flywheel Energy Storage for Automotive Applications.” Accessed: July 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https: //www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/10/10636

[15]. K. Van Berkel, T. Hofman, B. Vroemen, and M. Steinbuch, “Optimal energy management for a flywheel-based hybrid vehicle, ” in Proceedings of the 2011 American Control Conference, San Francisco, CA: IEEE, June 2011, pp. 5255–5260. doi: 10.1109/acc.2011.5990820.

[16]. G. Cong, N. Dawen, G. Linfu, X. Qicheng, and M. Shujian, “Simulation Research on Regenerative Braking Control Strategy of Hybrid Electric Vehicle, ” Energies, doi: 10.3390/en14082202.

[17]. “An overview of regenerative braking systems, ” J. Energy Storage, vol. 52, p. 105033, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.est.2022.105033.

[18]. S. Bai and C. Liu, “Overview of energy harvesting and emission reduction technologies in hybrid electric vehicles, ” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 147, p. 111188, Sept. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111188.

[19]. J. Kropiwnicki and T. Gawłas, “Energy efficiency of a car driving with regenerative braking, ” Combust. Engines, July 2025, doi: 10.19206/CE-207152.

[20]. S. Dabral, S. Basak, and C. Chakraborty, “Regenerative Braking Efficiency Enhancement using Pole-Changing Induction Motor, ” in IECON 2022 – 48th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, Oct. 2022, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/IECON49645.2022.9968341.

[21]. R. Capata and C. Toro, “Feasibility analysis of a small-scale ORC energy recovery system for vehicular application, ” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 86, pp. 1078–1090, Oct. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2014.06.024.

[22]. S. H. Kang, “Design and experimental study of ORC (organic Rankine cycle) and radial turbine using R245fa working fluid, ” Energy, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 514–524, May 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.02.035.

[23]. P. Skarke, S. Midlam-Mohler, and M. Canova, “Waste Heat Recovery From Internal Combustion Engines: Feasibility Study on an Organic Rankine Cycle With Application to the Ohio State EcoCAR PHEV, ” in ASME 2012 Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall Technical Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Sept. 2012, pp. 609–615. doi: 10.1115/icef2012-92018.

Cite this article

Zhong,Z.;Chen,Z.;Pan,H.;Xu,Z.;Yang,K. (2025). Implementation Feasibility and Efficiency of Automobile Energy Recovery Systems. Applied and Computational Engineering,188,108-131.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of CONF-MCEE 2026 Symposium: Advances in Sustainable Aviation and Aerospace Vehicle Automation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-397-0(Print) / 978-1-80590-398-7(Online)
Editor: Ömer Burak İSTANBULLU
Conference website: https://2025.confmcee.org/kayseri.html
Conference date: 14 November 2025
Series: Applied and Computational Engineering
Volume number: Vol.188
ISSN: 2755-2721(Print) / 2755-273X(Online)

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