Flywheel energy storage in data centers

Which applications benefit from flywheel energy storage systems?

Prime applications that benefit from flywheel energy storage systems include: The power-hungry nature of data centers make them prime candidates for energy-efficient and green power solutions. Reliability, efficiency, cooling issues, space constraints and environmental issues are the prime drivers for implementing flywheel energy storage.

Why should a data center use a flywheel?

Reliability, efficiency, cooling issues, space constraints and environmental issues are the prime drivers for implementing flywheel energy storage. Flywheels paired with a data center's three-phase UPS units provide instantaneous and cost-efficient backup power. Flywheel battery. Image courtesy of VYCON

How much does a data center flywheel cost?

Therefore, over the lifetime of the data center, an inefficient flywheel compared to a battery system could cost the data center owner up to as much as an extra $306,000 (1.8% x $17 Million). Some flywheel technologies such as high speed composite, frictionless vacuum-encased flywheels can demonstrate higher efficiencies.

What are the potential applications of flywheel technology?

Flywheel technology has potential applications in energy harvesting, hybrid energy systems, and secondary functionalities apart from energy storage. Additionally, there are opportunities for new applications in these areas.

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 does a flywheel system store energy?

A flywheel system stores energy mechanically in the form of kinetic energy by spinning a mass at high speed. Electrical or mechanical inputs spin the flywheel rotor and keep it spinning until called upon to release the stored energy. The amount of energy available and its duration are governed by the mass and speed of the flywheel.