Design and fabrication of a flywheel energy storage system

Abstract

This report studies the past and current flywheel energy storage (FES) technologies, focusing mainly on the principle and theory. It presents the design, construction and test of a low-speed FES system under the limitations of a tight time schedule and budget.

In this project, a series of design tools were employed to generate the conceptual design. Design optimization was performed and the computer drawings were then produced before fabrication begun.

During operation, the output voltage was recorded to study the behavior and characteristics of a FES. A tachometer was used to obtain the readings of the angular velocity of the flywheel during operation. Due to the difficulty in obtaining precise real-time readings, the overall accuracy was verified through the mathematical relationship between voltage and angular velocity.

The experimental results of the prototype correctly demonstrated the working principle of a flywheel where the rotational energy was stored and reconverted back to electrical energy during the discharging process.

The prototype flywheel had an operating speed of 2600 rpm at its peak and was able to sustain motion for 100 s during its discharging mode. The performance of the system was found to be better after a cross-reference with respect to past work with a similar prototype. This was attributed to a higher stability and a better power transmission system.