Clipped from: Flywheel Power Storage Coming On Line

Flywheel Power Storage Coming On Line

Using flywheel systems allows for load balancing - adding power when production levels fall below the demand for power, and then storing excess when the production level exceeds that demand. Otherwise, power utilities need to use other methods, such as gas turbine power plants to adjust the power level.

Beacon Power has installed its second megawatt-sized, flywheel-based energy storage system connected to the grid in New England, and is providing energy storage and load balancing for the New England ISO.

Clipped from: Flywheel energy storage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Flywheel energy storage

Flywheel energy storage (FES) works by accelerating a rotor (flywheel) to a very high speed and maintaining the energy in the system as rotational energy. The energy is converted back by slowing down the flywheel.
Most FES systems use electricity to accelerate and decelerate the flywheel, but devices that directly use mechanical energy are being developed.^[1]
Advanced FES systems have rotors made of high strength carbon-composite filaments, suspended by magnetic bearings, and spinning at speeds from 20,000 to over 50,000 rpm in a vacuum enclosure^[2]. Such flywheels can come up to speed in a matter of minutes — much quicker than some other forms of energy storage.^[2]

Clipped from: News Release : Investors : Beacon Power Corporation

Beacon Power Announces Testing of First Megawatt of Flywheel Energy Storage

ISO New England Regulation Pilot Program receives full approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Clipped from: Solutions - Frequency Regulation : Beacon Power Corporation

Frequency Regulation

To ensure a functional and reliable grid, the Independent System Operators (ISOs) that operate the various regional grids must maintain their electric frequency very close to 60 hertz (Hz), or cycles per second (50 Hz in Europe and elsewhere). When the supply of electricity exactly matches the demand (or "load"), grid frequency is held at a stable level. Grid operators, therefore, seek to continuously balance electricity supply with load to maintain the proper frequency. They do this by directing about one percent of total generation capacity to increase or decrease its power output in response to frequency deviations.

Clipped from: Technology - Smart Energy 25 Flywheel : Beacon Power Corporation

Smart Energy 25 Flywheel

The Smart Energy 25 flywheel is a 4th-generation advanced energy storage solution designed to meet the requirements of demanding utility grid applications. It features a long-life, low-maintenance design, highly cyclic (charge-discharge) capability, and zero fuel consumption or CO₂ or other emissions. An array of Smart Energy flywheel units can be configured to form a Smart Energy Matrix plant, which can store and return megawatts of energy to maintain grid reliability and stability.
[...]
When a grid operator sends a signal that requests the system to absorb power, the Smart Energy Matrix uses power from the grid to drive the motor/generator, which in turn spins up the flywheel. When a signal is sent for electrical power to be provided, the momentum of the spinning flywheel drives a generator and the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy for release to the grid.

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2009-08-03

Flywheel Power Storage

Flywheel Power Storage Coming On Line

Flywheel energy storage

Frequency Regulation

Smart Energy 25 Flywheel