Could flywheels be the future of energy storage?

Flywheels, one of the earliest forms of energy storage, could play a significant role in the transformation of the electrical power system into one that is fully sustainable yet low cost.

How much energy does a flywheel store?

Indeed, the development of high strength, low-density carbon fiber composites (CFCs) in the 1970s generated renewed interest in flywheel energy storage. Based on design strengths typically used in commercial flywheels, σmax /ρ is around 600 kNm/kg for CFC, whereas for wrought flywheel steels, it is around 75 kNm/kg.

What are the potential applications of flywheel technology?

Flywheel technology has potential applications in energy harvesting, hybrid energy systems, and secondary functionalities apart from energy storage. Additionally, there are opportunities for new applications in these areas.

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.

What makes flywheel energy storage systems competitive?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESSs) are still competitive for applications that need frequent charge/discharge at a large number of cycles. Flywheels also have the least environmental impact amongst the three technologies, since it contains no chemicals.

Are flywheels a good choice for electric grid regulation?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) are a good candidate for electrical grid regulation. They can improve distribution efficiency and smooth power output from renewable energy sources like wind/solar farms. Additionally, flywheels have the least environmental impact amongst energy storage technologies, as they contain no chemicals.