Flywheel energy storage operation and maintenance cost details

Are flywheel energy storage systems economically feasible?

Equipment cost distribution for the flywheel energy storage systems. FESSs are used for short-duration power applications. Therefore, power capital cost ($/kW) could be a useful parameter to compare the economic feasibility of energy storage systems for similar power applications.

How does a flywheel energy storage system work?

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) rely on a mechanical working principle: An electric motor is used to spin a rotor of high inertia up to 20,000-50,000 rpm. Electrical energy is thus converted to kinetic energy for storage. For discharging, the motor acts as a generator, braking the rotor to produce electricity.

How much does a steel rotor flywheel cost?

The steel rotor flywheel has a lower capital cost and levelized cost of storage. The costs of composite and steel rotor flywheels are $190 and $146/MWh, respectively. Flywheel energy storage systems are increasingly being considered as a promising alternative to electro-chemical batteries for short-duration utility applications.

How can flywheels be more competitive to batteries?

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