Micro-hybrid specialist Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) is to apply its expertise in exhaust gas energy recovery to the VIPER research project, announced by the UK's Technology Strategy Board.
Vehicle Integrated Powertrain Energy Recovery will build on CPT's involvement in the Ricardo-led HyBoost programme, also part funded by the TSB.
CPT engineering director Guy Morris explains that the new VIPER project aims to show how a reduction in CO2 emissions of 4.5% can be achieved over a broad range of vehicles, in part by optimising the control of heat energy from conventional diesel engines.
The project is being led by Jaguar Land Rover, with other consortium members including Ford, IAV, BP, the University of Nottingham and Imperial College London.
"VIPER builds on our exhaust gas energy recovery work, already underway for the HyBoost programme," comments Morris. "HyBoost also includes our VTES electric supercharger.
"There's enormous synergy in the integration of these and other micro-hybrid technologies, such as SpeedStart. The mild electrification of gasoline and diesel engines can produce highly efficient vehicles."
Although currently aimed at family saloon engines, CPT's technologies look interesting for the future van market. The company was set up in 2007 as a management buy-in to acquire advanced powertrain technologies from Visteon and its technology development partner Emerson.
