What is the difference between a flywheel and a battery storage system?

Flywheel Systems are more suited for applications that require rapid energy bursts, such as power grid stabilization, frequency regulation, and backup power for critical infrastructure. Battery Storage is typically a better choice for long-term energy storage, such as for renewable energy systems (solar or wind) or home energy storage.

Do flywheel energy storage systems need to be embedded in the ground?

Still, many customers of modern flywheel energy-storage systems prefer to have them embedded in the ground to halt any material that might escape the containment vessel. An additional limitation for some flywheel types is energy storage time. Flywheel energy storage systems using mechanical bearings can lose 20% to 50% of their energy in 2 hours.

What are some new applications for flywheels?

Other opportunities for flywheels are new applications in energy harvest, hybrid energy systems, and flywheel’s secondary functionality apart from energy storage. The use of new materials and compact designs will increase the specific energy and energy density to make flywheels more competitive to batteries.

How can flywheels be more competitive to batteries?

To make flywheels more competitive with batteries, the use of new materials and compact designs can increase their specific energy and energy density. Additionally, exploring new applications like energy harvesting, hybrid energy systems, and secondary functionalities can further enhance their competitiveness.

What makes flywheel energy storage systems competitive?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESSs) are still competitive for applications that need frequent charge/discharge at a large number of cycles. Flywheels also have the least environmental impact amongst the three technologies, since it contains no chemicals.

How much energy does a flywheel lose in 2 hours?

Flywheel energy storage systems using mechanical bearings can lose 20% to 50% of their energy in 2 hours. Much of the friction responsible for this energy loss results from the flywheel changing orientation due to the rotation of the earth (a concept similar to a Foucault pendulum).