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Electrical energy can be stored as kinetic energy using a flywheel.
A modern Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) system typically includes the flywheel itself, bearings, an electric motor/generator, and a vacuum chamber. Energy is stored or released by accelerating or decelerating the flywheel.
The amount of electrical energy stored depends on the flywheel’s rotational speed. Modern flywheels can endure over 100 charge and discharge cycles. Special attention during development is given to using composite materials to improve strength, optimize size and weight, and enhance safety.
Flywheels are widely used to capture braking energy from metro trains, as the equipment is installed at substations rather than onboard. They are also effectively employed in emergency power systems for critical infrastructure, including providing power to start diesel engines.
The main advantage of FES is its ability to absorb load almost instantly, although its overall energy capacity is relatively low.
Flywheels are categorized into low-speed models (up to 6,000 RPM) and high-speed models (up to 100,000 RPM). Super flywheels are highly efficient. The latest FES systems are designed for fast-response frequency regulation in electrical grids.