Maximum flywheel energy storage how many kilowatt-hours of electricity

How does a flywheel energy storage system work?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) rely on a mechanical working principle: An electric motor is used to spin a rotor of high inertia up to 20,000-50,000 rpm. Electrical energy is thus converted to kinetic energy for storage. For discharging, the motor acts as a generator, braking the rotor to produce electricity.

How much energy does a flywheel produce?

The net energy ratios of steel and composite flywheels are 2.5–3.5 and 2.7–3.8. The GHG emissions of steel and composite flywheels are 75–121 and 49–95 kg CO 2 eq/MWh. Flywheel energy storage systems are feasible for short-duration applications, which are crucial for the reliability of an electrical grid with large renewable energy penetration.

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.

Does a flywheel energy storage system affect the environment?

Flywheel energy storage system use is increasing, which has encouraged research in design improvement, performance optimization, and cost analysis. However, the system's environmental impacts for utility applications have not been widely studied.

Are flywheels a solution to the power grid?

The G2 flywheel of NASA was the first technological demonstrator. power grid makes already limited use of the technology to bridge over relatively short fluctuations. As renewable sources will (hopefully) take over the production of energy, the necessity of storage will become more pressing: flywheels are a possible solution!

Why do we need a flywheel?

A diversity of technology solutions is necessary to create a competitive marketplace and address all demands for the utility-scale energy storage challenge, including the flywheel. A flywheel is a “mechanical battery” that stores kinetic or moving energy.