What is a flywheel energy storage system?

First-generation flywheel energy-storage systems use a large steel flywheel rotating on mechanical bearings. Newer systems use carbon-fiber composite rotors that have a higher tensile strength than steel and can store much more energy for the same mass. To reduce friction, magnetic bearings are sometimes used instead of mechanical bearings.

How can flywheels be more competitive to batteries?

The use of new materials and compact designs will increase the specific energy and energy density to make flywheels more competitive to batteries. Other opportunities are new applications in energy harvest, hybrid energy systems, and flywheel’s secondary functionality apart from energy storage.

How efficient is a flywheel system?

Due to their simple design and frictionless characteristics, flywheel systems can reach very high efficiencies of 70-95%, where only a small fraction of the energy is lost during storage.

Are flywheels the future of energy storage?

Global decarbonisation requires green energy storage solutions, of which flywheels have been touted as one of its principal proponents. These clever yet simple mechanical systems are certainly part of the energy storage future, just perhaps not in the way you envisage. Read on to find out why! Contents What is a flywheel?

What are the potential applications of flywheel technology?

Other opportunities are new applications in energy harvest, hybrid energy systems, and flywheel’s secondary functionality apart from energy storage. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

What is a magnetic bearing in a flywheel energy storage system?

In simple terms, a magnetic bearing uses permanent magnets to lift the flywheel and controlled electromagnets to keep the flywheel rotor steady. This stability needs a sophisticated control system with costly sensors. There are three types of magnetic bearings in a Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS): passive, active, and superconducting.