A Review of Flywheel Energy Storage System Technologies and Their Applications

Abstract

Abstract:Energy storage systems (ESS) provide a means for improving the efficiency of electrical systems when there are imbalances between supply and demand. Additionally, they are a key element for improving the stability and quality of electrical networks. They add flexibility into the electrical system by mitigating the supply intermittency, recently made worse by an increased penetration of renewable generation. One energy storage technology now arousing great interest is the flywheel energy storage systems (FESS), since this technology can offer many advantages as an energy storage solution over the alternatives. Flywheels have attributes of a high cycle life, long operational life, high round-trip efficiency, high power density, low environmental impact, and can store megajoule (MJ) levels of energy with no upper limit when configured in banks. This paper presents a critical review of FESS in regards to its main components and applications, an approach not captured in earlier reviews. Additionally, earlier reviews do not include the most recent literature in this fast-moving field. A description of the flywheel structure and its main components is provided, and different types of electric machines, power electronics converter topologies, and bearing systems for use in flywheel storage systems are discussed. The main applications of FESS are explained and commercially available flywheel prototypes for each application are described. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research.

An updated review of energy storage systems: Classification and applications in distributed generation power systems incorporating renewable energy resources

“…The rotor for low‐speed FES system is made up of steel, and conventional ball bearings are used making the system large and bulky . The cost of low‐speed FES systems, however, is relatively much lower as compared with the high‐speed FES systems, but the performance is much inferior compared to high‐speed FES systems . High‐speed FES systems on the other hand have its rotor made up of composite materials supported with magnetic bearings.…”

“…67,68 The cost of low-speed FES systems, however, is relatively much lower as compared with the high-speed FES systems, but the performance is much inferior compared to high-speed FES systems. [69][70][71] Highspeed FES systems on the other hand have its rotor made up of composite materials supported with magnetic bearings. Recently, a new bearing technology was introduced by the name of high-temperature superconducting (HTS), resulting in significant reduction in the friction and standing losses.…”

Special Issue on Advancing Grid-Connected Renewable Generation Systems

“…This is a timely overview article, since lithium-ion batteries are the primary power source in the booming electric vehicle industry. The second paper provides another review on flywheel energy storage technologies [3], authored by M. Amiryar and K. Pullen. Along with the fast development and exploitation of renewables, the role of energy storage systems is becoming essential [4], as also highlighted in the paper [3].…”

“…The second paper provides another review on flywheel energy storage technologies [3], authored by M. Amiryar and K. Pullen. Along with the fast development and exploitation of renewables, the role of energy storage systems is becoming essential [4], as also highlighted in the paper [3]. Additionally, Z. Liu, Y. Chen, Y. Luo, G. Zhao, and X. Jin address the optimal planning and utilization issues for various distributed generators and energy storage systems [5].…”

Optimisation of the Structure of a Wind Farm—Kinetic Energy Storage for Improving the Reliability of Electricity Supplies

“…Its shape, material and maximum rotational speed determine the storage dimensions, capacity, and weight, and are simultaneously the basic criteria of their division [9,24,[26][27][28]. Figure 3 presents a general construction diagram of a kinetic energy storage system using a three-phase AC machine.…”