Integration of flywheel-based energy storage for frequency regulation in deregulated markets

Flywheel-based energy storage is being introduced on a large scale (20 MW) for providing grid frequency regulation in deregulated markets. The ISOs have already introduced, or are in the process of introducing, market rules and tariffs to comply with FERC Order No. 890 to allow new competitive technologies to participate in the markets. Analysis of more than one year of operating data shows flywheel-based storage can provide superior cost, emissions, and operational performance. Availability of this new grid technology is particularly important since the rapid addition of variable-generation renewable resources to meet RPS standards is expected to increase the need for regulation.