FLYWHEEL ENERGY MATRIX SYSTEMS – TODAY ’ S TECHNOLOGY , TOMORROW ’ S ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTION

Through third party testing, field trials and commercially deployed units, flywheel energy storage manufacturers have demonstrated that discrete flywheel energy storage modules are a viable energy storage option, which is technically suited for reliable and cost-effective use in various applications. Proven power quality compensation applications range from lowpower telecommunication equipment support (low-kW for hours) to high-power industrial equipment support (hundreds of kW for seconds). Using today’s technology at a discrete energy storage level, the author presents a conceptual system design to achieve MW output levels not only for seconds, but even tens of minutes. The purpose is to validate the technical feasibility of combining the best features of high-speed flywheel energy storage with proven developments in high-power electronics for energy storage and delivery.