JohnMo Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMo Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 Centrifugal gas compressors routinely run at that or greater speeds without issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMo Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 The one in PV mag (link) was buried in the garden, which is best place for it in a domestic situation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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