14 May 2012
Posted in Press releases

8 May 2012. Grove, UK. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro, powered by Williams Hybrid Power’s innovative electric flywheel hybrid system, impressed on its first competitive outing in round two of the F.I.A World Endurance Championship.

The second race in the 2012 calendar saw teams head to Belgium for the WEC 6 hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The Audi R18 e-tron Quattro #2 set the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying and its sister car finished in second place around the famous circuit after dominating the early stages in difficult wet conditions. The race at Spa-Francorchamps can be seen as a ‘’dress rehearsal’’ for the Le Mans 24 Hours next month. By proving its capability on one of the world’s most challenging circuits, the signs are positive for the R18 e-tron quattro’s chances of success at the 80th running of the world’s most famous endurance event.

Williams Hybrid Power designed an entirely new, ultra-lightweight electric flywheel and associated power electronics for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, delivering 150KW of power with a top rotor speed of 45,000 rpm. The key benefits of the WHP system are a high power density and correspondingly low mass, the ability to continuously deep power cycle, high efficiency energy transfer to and from the e-storage, and an insusceptibility to performance or life degradation over a wide range of operating temperatures. These defining features are highly suited to endurance racing and made the WHP flywheel the prime candidate for Audi’s project when compared to other technologies such as batteries, ultra-capacitors or mechanical flywheels.

André Lotterer, one of the drivers of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1, commented, "A fantastic race for Audi with a 1-2-3-4 victory. When I was sitting in the car at the beginning of the race in the rain I particularly enjoyed the technology of the R18 e-tron quattro. Even though the technology is brand new it functioned superbly. Unfortunately, we didn’t keep the lead but we’re still in a learning phase. On the whole, though, it was a nice beginning before the really big challenge, the Le Mans 24 Hours."

Ian Foley, Managing Director of Williams Hybrid Power, commented, "High-level motorsport is the ultimate proving ground for our flywheel technology and we are delighted to see the Audi R18 e-tron quattro make a positive start in its first outing. The performance at Spa demonstrates the potential of hybrid systems in both motorsport and non-motorsport applications and we are looking ahead to Le Mans next month with great excitement."

22 March 2012
Posted in Press releases

22nd March 2012. Grove, UK. Williams Hybrid Power has appointed Frank Thorpe to the position of Head of Bus Systems. In this newly-created role Frank will be responsible for the business development of Williams Hybrid Power's ground-breaking hybrid flywheel technology for the passenger carrying vehicle industry and lead its marketing and introduction into the sector.

Frank brings a wealth of bus industry experience to Williams Hybrid Power. He joins from Go-Ahead Group, where he worked in Business Development for Go-Ahead London. Prior to this he ran his family's business, Thorpes, a London-based operator that was acquired by Metroline in 2004.

In his new role, which will see him deal with both passenger carrying vehicle manufacturers and operators, Frank will continue to work closely with his former employer following the recent announcement that Go-Ahead Group and Williams Hybrid Power are collaborating on the development and production of six prototype buses with retrofitted hybrid flywheel systems.

Speaking about his appointment Frank Thorpe commented, "Given the difficulties all bus and coach operators face due to the relentless increase of fuel prices, the forthcoming withdrawal of government support and ever-increasing environmental pressures, Williams Hybrid Power can deliver a unique solution that saves fuel and reduces emissions. On a personal note, I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with a cutting-edge British company to help introduce this exciting and innovative product into service."

16 March 2012
Posted in Press releases

16 March 2012. Grove, UK. The Go-Ahead Group and Williams Hybrid Power (WHP), a subsidiary of Williams Grand Prix Engineering, have signed a ground breaking agreement to develop a flywheel energy storage application for use in buses.

Go-Ahead and Williams Hybrid Power have agreed to work together to develop and produce six prototype buses with a retrofitted hybrid flywheel system, providing electro mechanical energy to drive the bus and deliver substantial improvements to fuel economy and reductions in CO2 emissions. Go-Ahead is one of the UK’s leading providers of passenger transport, with over one billion passenger journey’s taken each year on its bus and rail services.

Williams Hybrid Power has been at the forefront of hybrid flywheel systems within motor racing, originally developing it for the Williams Formula One car and providing systems to Porsche for the 911 GT3 Hybrid and recently Audi for the R18 e-tron Quattro that will compete at this year’s Le Mans 24 hour race. The company is now making the technology available to applications such as hybrid passenger vehicles, electric trains, rapid transit systems and smart grid infrastructure to meet their high power energy storage needs, save fuel and reduce emissions.

Phil Margrave, Go-Ahead’s Group Engineering Director, commented, ‘In the on-going quest to significantly reduce the CO2 emissions of the Go-Ahead Group we are very excited to be working with Williams Hybrid Power, a British technology company at the cutting edge of alternative energy solutions. We are convinced that the experience and expertise they have gained from developing and using the flywheel technology in motorsport will migrate to the bus market and deliver a ground breaking solution to the issue of fuel efficiency.’’

Speaking about the announcement Ian Foley, Managing Director of Williams Hybrid Power, added, ‘’I am delighted that we have signed this agreement with a forward thinking company like Go-Ahead. From the very beginning we identified public transport as an ideal customer for our flywheel technology and I am excited about the challenge of delivering this innovative solution for the bus industry. Hopefully this is the beginning of many such initiatives in the public transport field.’’

01 March 2012
Posted in Press releases

1st March 2012. Grove, UK. Williams Hybrid Power (WHP) is pleased to announce an association with Audi Sport to become the hybrid system energy storage supplier for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. WHP’s innovative electric flywheel will be at the heart of the Audi R18 hybrid system for the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

For the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, WHP has designed an entirely new, ultra-lightweight electric flywheel and associated power electronics and the company has worked closely with Audi engineers to fully integrate its unique electric flywheel into the car. The system will provide 150kW of power and have a top rotor speed of 45,000 rpm. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro using WHP’s system will make its first competitive outing in the six-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps on 5th May.

The defining features of WHP’s flywheel made it the prime energy storage candidate for Audi’s project when compared to other technologies such as batteries, ultra-capacitors or mechanical flywheels. The main benefits of the WHP system are a high power density and correspondingly low mass, high efficiency energy transfer to and from the e-storage, the ability to continuously deep power cycle and an insusceptibility to performance or life degradation over a wide range of operating temperatures. In short, the technology is perfectly suited to the high performance demands of endurance racing.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is recognised as the world’s oldest and highest profile event in endurance racing and is also commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency. Fittingly, the introduction of hybrid systems this season brings a new element of innovation in efficiency to top-flight endurance racing. Audi demonstrates its dedication to innovation in recognising the potential of this technology and aiming to be the first manufacturer to win Le Mans with a hybrid.

Ian Foley, Managing Director of Williams Hybrid Power commented, "To be chosen as a supplier by Audi, the most successful brand in Le Mans’ recent history, is testament to the progress made by Williams Hybrid Power in its relatively short existence. Audi has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a total of ten times since the year 2000 and we are incredibly proud and honoured to have been chosen to work with them and to have our hard work and technology recognised in this way. Such a high-level motorsport application represents the ultimate proving ground for our electric flywheel technology. This same technology can be used in everyday applications to save fuel and reduce emissions, for instance in city buses, that also require large power flows for short periods of time."