Battery storage, could be old news

[JohnMo]

Battery storage may have an alternative technology on its way - the flywheel.

 

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/02/24/french-flywheel-storage-system-specialist-secures-e10-million-investment/

 

Funny thing I did a a project paper on this subject 30 years ago.

 

There was even a Le Mans race car with one installed in the early 90s and trams have had them installed for energy recovery and storage.  Run a flywheel on magnetic bearings and in a vacuum, nearly no standing losses.  Use a magnetic clutch to engage a motor/generator for power output and power input.

 

It's not rocket science as they say, just some kenetic energy.

 

 

[SteamyTea]

5 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Funny thing I did a a project paper on this subject 30 years ago.

I looked into it as well.

The energy density is not that great, even if the power density is good.

And the thought of having a washing machine sized bit of kit with a flywheel, rotating at 20,000 RPM, is a little worrying.

 

Williams Engineering used one in their cars in 2009, when KERS first came along.  They sold it to GKN back in 2014.

Think there may be a system on Eigg, not sure if it is running.

[JohnMo]

Centrifugal gas compressors routinely run at that or greater speeds without issue

[SteamyTea]

2 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Centrifugal gas compressors routinely run at that or greater speeds without issue

Not in the cupboard under yours stairs though.

We need to pay for a certificate to have a DHW cylinder running at 3 bar, just imaging what a fast spinning device with 5 kWh of energy will need.

It is already used for grid balancing, if you go to WPD substation near Redruth, you can hear them humming sometimes.

 

https://botlanta.org/converters/dale-calc/flywheel.html

 

 

[JohnMo]

The one in PV mag (link) was buried in the garden, which is best place for it in a domestic situation

[SteamyTea]

Just now, JohnMo said:

The one in PV mag (link) was buried in the garden, which is best place for it in a domestic situation

Um

I wonder if they read my paper on it.

Maybe I should take a quick look at what they wrote.