How does a flywheel energy storage system work?

Operating Principles of Flywheel Energy Storage Systems In FESSs, electric energy is transformed into kinetic energy and stored by rotating a flywheel at high speeds. An FESS operates in three distinct modes: charging, discharging, and holding.

How does a flywheel work?

A flywheel is driven by a reversible electric machine that initially operates as a motor to supply energy to the inertial mass. With the drive system disconnected, the flywheel stores energy in its rotation. Upon request, this latter will be transformed into electrical energy by the generator.

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 .

What is flywheel energy storage system (fess)?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) are found in a variety of applications ranging from grid-connected energy management to uninterruptible power supplies. With the progress of technology, there is fast renovation involved in FESS application.

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.

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.