What are Flywheel Energy Storage Systems?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems are interesting solutions for energy storage, featuring advantageous characteristics when compared to other technologies. Research focuses on cost aspects, system reliability, and energy density improvement for these systems. In this context, a novel shaftless outer-rotor layout is proposed.

Can flywheel energy storage be commercially viable?

This project explored flywheel energy storage R&D to reach commercial viability for utility scale energy storage. This required advancing the design, manufacturing capability, system cost, storage capacity, efficiency, reliability, safety, and system level operation of flywheel energy storage technology.

How much energy does a flywheel store?

It would probably have to be in a cement enclosure, and in Florida a sump pump to keep it dry. A 1,000kg, 5m, 200RPM flywheel would store 685,567J of energy if it was shaped like a disc. That's 0.19kWh of energy — enough to boil the water for about seven (7) cups of tea or run a typical airconditioner for about 10 minutes.

What is the Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS)?

The Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) is a technology developed under collaboration between GKN and Dstl to demonstrate an energy storage option for the Royal Navy’s most advanced ships. It is based on Le Mans motor-sport technologies and was originally developed by the Williams F1 team.

Can flywheels save energy?

Installing 100 MW’s worth of flywheels used for distribution can reduce demand charges by $36 million and provide $8 million of energy savings a year since the FESS can eliminate mid-day peak and evening peaks of electricity use. Lithium battery technology can only do one peak reduction a day.

Do flywheels store more energy per unit volume or mass?

Re specific energy: For a stationary system, energy stored per unit volume probably is more relevant that energy stored per unit mass. Domestic flywheels are unlikely to happen for 3 reasons: They must be heavy to store significant energy.