"The KERS system is basically a CVT (Continuously variable transmission) connected to a flywheel that engages on deceleration, recuperating some of the energy that would otherwise be converted to heat in the brakes. This spins the flywheel up, which continues spinning until called upon to boost acceleration."
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/m...ecovery-system
As far as I've understood, "KERS" is an acronym (from kinetic energy recovery system) made by FIA, so imho it only means the system F1 will use. It will be introduced next year. Xtrac will make the variators but F1 teams will be making the flywheels themselves.
ACO is also looking for regs (says so in the '08 regs PDF), I hope they keep some sense with it. Unlike FIA because looks like it's going to be very restricted and only allowed to work like a push-to-pass system.
More:
http://www.flybridsystems.com/Technology.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel_energy_storage
http://www.xtrac.com/pdfs/Torotrak_Xtrac_CVT.pdf (PDF)
Also these are interesting:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65226
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66521
Was not hard to find these links, just couple of hours ago I was looking for info about this
