Does the motor consume electricity when the flywheel stores energy

How does a flywheel store energy?

A flywheel stores energy by spinning at high speeds. In this example, electricity from a solar panel drives an electric motor/generator that spins the flywheel up to speed. When the stored energy is needed, the spinning flywheel drives the generator to produce electricity again.

What is the function of a flywheel?

The basic function of the flywheel is to convert the mechanical energy for the end-use application, which is electrical energy. For this conversion, an electromechanical machine is required which could be a motor/generator set. Generator and motor: When the kinetic energy is being stored, the motor is used to drive the flywheel.

When is excess electricity stored in flywheels?

At times when there is more electricity supply than demand, such as during the night or on the weekend, power plants can feed their excess energy into huge flywheels, which will store it for periods ranging from minutes to hours and release it again at times of peak need.

What is the operational mechanism of a flywheel?

The operational mechanism of a flywheel has two states: energy storage and energy release. Energy is stored in a flywheel when torque is applied to it. The torque increases the rotational speed of the flywheel; as a result, energy is stored. Conversely, the energy is released in the form of torque to the connected mechanical device .

How kinetic energy can be recovered from a flywheel?

When the wheel spins at its maximum speed, its kinetic energy 3 can be recovered by using the motor as a power generator. This gradually reduces the rotational speed of the flywheel. - Highly efficient, with 80% of the stored energy able to be recovered.

What happens to the flywheel after it provides extra power?

When you reconnect it to the wheels, it's like a second engine that provides extra power. The energy you feed to the wheels must be lost from the flywheel, causing it to slow down. It only works temporarily.