Flywheel energy storage systems
store kinetic energy (i.e. energy produced by motion) by constantly spinning a
compact rotor in a low-friction environment. When short-term back-up power is
required (i.e. when utility power fluctuates or is lost), the rotor's inertia
allows it to continue spinning and the resulting kinetic energy is converted to
electricity.
Active Power's CleanSource® Flywheel Technology, as shown below, integrates the function of a motor, flywheel rotor and generator into a single integrated system. The motor, which uses electric current from the utility grid to provide energy to rotate the flywheel, spins constantly to maintain a ready source of kinetic energy. The generator then converts the kinetic energy of the flywheel into electricity. This integration of functionality reduces the cost and increases product efficiency.
Active Power's CleanSource® Flywheel Technology, as shown below, integrates the function of a motor, flywheel rotor and generator into a single integrated system. The motor, which uses electric current from the utility grid to provide energy to rotate the flywheel, spins constantly to maintain a ready source of kinetic energy. The generator then converts the kinetic energy of the flywheel into electricity. This integration of functionality reduces the cost and increases product efficiency.
A flywheel, in essence is a mechanical battery - simply a mass rotating about
an axis. Flywheels store energy mechanically in the form of kinetic energy.
They take an electrical input to accelerate the rotor up to speed by using the
built-in motor, and return the electrical energy by using this same motor as a
generator. Flywheels are one of the oldest and most common mechanical devises
in existence. They may still prove to serve us as an important component on
tomorrow's vehicles and future energy needs. Flywheels are one of the most
promising technologies for replacing conventional lead acid batteries as energy
storage systems for a variety of applications, including automobiles,
economical rural electrification systems, and stand-alone, remote power units
commonly used in the telecommunications industry. Recent advances in the
mechanical properties of composites has rekindled interest in using the inertia
of a spinning wheel to store energy.
