How does flywheel store energy?

Flywheel energy storage uses electric motors to drive the flywheel to rotate at a high speed so that the electrical power is transformed into mechanical power and stored, and when necessary, flywheels drive generators to generate power. The flywheel system operates in the high vacuum environment.

When energy is released by the flywheel?

5.1 Flywheels. Flywheels are rotating mechanical devices to store kinetic energy. They capture the momentum in a rotating mass and release the energy by applying torque to a mechanical load.

What is the function of a flywheel?

flywheel, heavy wheel attached to a rotating shaft so as to smooth out delivery of power from a motor to a machine. The inertia of the flywheel opposes and moderates fluctuations in the speed of the engine and stores the excess energy for intermittent use.

What is a flywheel energy system?

Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) use electric energy input which is stored in the form of kinetic energy. To maintain efficiency, the flywheel system is operated in a vacuum to reduce drag. The flywheel is connected to a motor-generator that interacts with the utility grid through advanced power electronics.

Where is energy stored in a flywheel?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) use electric energy input which is stored in the form of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy can be described as “energy of motion,” in this case the motion of a spinning mass, called a rotor. The rotor spins in a nearly frictionless enclosure.

How does a flywheel UPS work?

A flywheel UPS uses a rotor, typically made of steel, as the foundation of a flywheel machine that acts as a motor (converting electrical to kinetic energy to keep the wheel spinning), generator (converting kinetic energy to electrical energy to power the load), and energy storage system.

What is flywheel and calculate the energy stored in a flywheel?

stored energy = sum of kinetic energy of individual mass elements that comprise the flywheel. Kinetic Energy = 1/2*I*w*w. I = moment of inertia –> ability of an object to resist changes in its rotational velocity.

How does a flywheel energy storage work?

It stores energy in the form of kinetic energy and works by accelerating a rotor to very high speeds and maintaining the energy in the system as rotational energy. Flywheel energy storage is a promising technology for replacing conventional lead acid batteries as energy storage systems.

How does a flywheel motor work?

The inbuilt motor uses electrical power to turn at high speeds to set the flywheel turning at its operating speed. This results in the storage of kinetic energy. When energy is required, the motor functions as a generator, because the flywheel transfers rotational energy to it.

What are flywheels made of?

Once made of steel, flywheels are now made of a carbon fiber composite which has a high tensile strength and can store much more energy. The amount of energy stored in the flywheel is a function of the square of its rotational speed and its mass, so higher rotational speeds are desirable.

How does a flywheel stop spinning?

The flywheel keeps spinning at a particular speed as long as energy is not retrieved from it. The speed at which the flywheel rotates is reduced when energy is retrieved from it. The flywheel stops spinning once all the energy is drained from the system. Image Credits: https://www.activepower.com/fileadmin/images/flywheel.jpg