About Flywheels
A flywheel energy storage system draws electrical energy from a primary source, such as the utility grid, and stores it in a high-density rotating flywheel. The flywheel system is actually a kinetic, or mechanical battery, spinning at very high speeds (>20,000 rpm) to store energy that is instantly available when needed.
Upon power loss, the motor driving the flywheel acts as a generator. As the flywheel continues to rotate, this generator supplies power to the customer load. Performance is measured in energy units indicating the amount of power available over a given period of time. Typical single-flywheel systems, such as the Smart Energy 6 and Smart Energy 25, are intended for standby power applications.
A more recent Beacon Power flywheel design proposes an integrated system of 10 higher-power (25 kWh) flywheels, interconnected in a matrix to provide energy storage for utility-grade applications. The Smart Energy Matrix is designed to deliver megawatts of power for minutes, providing highly robust and responsive frequency and voltage regulation capabilities for increased grid reliability.
A Word About Sustainability
Sustainability is a philosophy and set of practices that have gained considerable acceptance among global organizations in recent years. The concept of sustainability refers to business conduct that addresses the economic, social and environmental impacts of operations; the so-called “triple bottom line.” More than 50% of Fortune 100 companies have adopted sustainable business practices and issue comprehensive annual progress reports. These companies, including many in the energy sector, have begun to take a longer-term view that considers the total impact of a product or service, from development through end-of-life.
Flywheel-based energy storage systems, unlike lead-acid batteries, are sustainable “green” technology solutions that do not use hazardous materials for production, nor create them during operation. Unlike batteries, flywheels operate reliably for many years with little or no maintenance. Their life cycle cost benefits and ROI have proven to be far superior to those of lead-acid batteries. Despite higher initial costs, flywheels offer an attractive and long-term cost-effective energy storage alternative for the growing number of companies implementing sustainable business practices. |
