Are flywheels a good storage solution?

Flywheels have been exciting interest as storage solutions in recent years, though without widespread adoption yet. The US Department of Energy (DOE) has used systems built by Beacon Power in a pilot projects to test the effectiveness for grid balancing, renewable input and energy efficiency.

How does a kinext flywheel work in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands has ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, but this will need storage. The flywheels can store energy for a short time, and the batteries for longer, so the hybrid system will have more flexibility. The 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) KINEXT flywheel operates at 92 per cent efficiency, storing energy as rotational mass.

How many flywheels are in a hybrid energy storage system?

In a 9-megawatt energy storage project, six flywheels have been installed in combination with a large battery to create an innovative hybrid storage system in Heerhugowaard, around 35 kilometers from Amsterdam.

Can flywheels help the Dutch grid maintain a 50 Hz frequency?

Image: ABB S4 Energy, a Netherlands-based flywheel technology, and Swiss conglomerate ABB recently switched on a storage project that combines battery and flywheels to help the Dutch grid maintain a stable frequency of 50 Hz. The facility is located in Heerhugowaard, in the province of North Holland.

What powers S4 Energy Kinext's energy-storage flywheels?

ABB regenerative drives power S4 Energy Kinext's energy-storage flywheels. The project features a 10 MW battery system and a 3 MW flywheel system and can reportedly offer a levelized cost of storage ranging between €0.020 ($0.020)/kWh and €0.12/kWh.

How much does a hybrid battery-flywheel storage facility cost?

The hybrid battery-flywheel storage facility in the Netherlands, featuring a 10 MW battery system and a 3 MW flywheel system, reportedly offers a levelized cost of storage ranging between €0.020 ($0.020)/kWh and €0.12/kWh.