Flywheel Energy Storage Systeems

FLYWHEEL AS A ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE

By:-

Avinash Sengar

Enroll. No.- 383/10

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION

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.

During extraction, principle of conservation of energy is being followed.

It is designed in which the flywheel device saves and release energy when necessary.

BASIC DIAGRAM

MAIN COMPONENTS

• FES stores energy by constantly spinning a compact rotor in a low-friction environment.

• Rotors made of high strength carbon fiber filaments, and spinning at speeds from 20,000 to over 50,000 rpm.

• Magnetic bearings are sometimes used instead of mechanical bearings.

• The efficiency in the chamber is enhanced by the creation of a rough vacuum.

APPLICATIONS

Flywheel in battery powered bus- FLYBUS

Other Applications

In 2013 Volvo announced a flywheel system fitted to the rear axle of its S60 sedan.

Wind Turbines. Rail vehicles. Rail electrification. Uninterrupted power supplies. Pulse power. Amusement rides. Pulse power

Grid energy storage Beacon Power opened a 20 MW, (5 MWh

over 15 min) flywheel energy storage

plant in Stephentown, New York in 2011.

Merits of FES unit

Highly efficient, Non-polluting. Reliable, Long life. Easily and inexpensively maintained, and safe. Much higher charging and discharging rate. Able to cyclic discharged to zero energy without degrading The storage capacity is independent of

temperature fluctuations. Much higher energy storage efficiencies. High power output.

Demerits of FES unit

• Current flywheels have low specific energy. There are safety concerns associated with flywheels due to their high speed rotor and the possibility of it breaking loose & releasing all of it's energy in an uncontrolled manner.

• Flywheels are a less mature technology than chemical batteries, and the current cost is too high to make them competitive in the market.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel_energy_storage

http://www.beaconpower.com/products/about-flywheels.asp

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2011/2/110223-electric-grid-flywheels-compressed-air/