Flywheel energy storage (FES) works by accelerating a rotor () to a very high speed and maintaining the energy in the system as. When energy is extracted from the system, the flywheel's rotational speed is reduced as a consequence of the principle of ; adding energy to the system correspondingly results in an increase in the speed of th.
Flywheel energy storage (FES) works by accelerating a rotor (flywheel) to a very high speed and maintaining the energy in the system as rotational energy.
The operation of the electricity network has grown more complex due to the increased adoption of renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar power. Using energy storage technology can improve the stability and quality of the power grid. One such technology is flywheel energy storage systems (FESSs).
A Flywheel Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) is a form of a mechanical hybrid system in which kinetic energy is stored in a spinning flywheel. This technology is being trialled by selected bus, truck, and mainstream automotive companies. Flywheel storage systems can supply instantaneous high power for short periods of time.
What is a high-speed flywheel energy storage system?
Modern high-speed flywheel energy storage systems have a wide range of applications in renewable energy storage, uninterrupted power supplies, transportation, electric vehicle charging, energy grid regulation, and peak shaving.
Recent interest in space applications of flywheel energy storage has been driven by limitations of chemical batteries for Air Force and NASA mission concepts. FES was designed to replace the nickel hydrogen (NiHz) battery orbital replacement units in the ISS Electric Power System.
Energy is stored in a fast-rotating mass known as the flywheel rotor. The rotor is subject to high centripetal forces requiring careful design, analysis, and fabrication to ensure the safe operation of the storage device. 1. Introduction