Currently a Professor of Energy Systems at City University of London and Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellow, he is researching low-cost, sustainable flywheel energy storage technology and associated energy technologies.
The basic principle involves storing energy using a rotating flywheel and achieving the conversion between mechanical energy and electrical energy through a reversible bidirectional motor, thereby enabling energy storage and release.
This article proposed a compact and highly efficient flywheel energy storage system (FESS). Single coreless stator and double rotor structures are used to eliminate the idling loss caused by the flux of permanent magnet (PM) machines.
The coupling coordinated frequency regulation control strategy of thermal power unit-flywheel energy storage system is designed to give full play to the advantages of flywheel energy storage system, improve the frequency regulation effect and effectively slow down the action of thermal power unit.
While flywheel energy storage systems offer several advantages such as high-power density, fast response times, and a long lifespan, they also face challenges in microgrid applications.
Power Management of Hybrid Flywheel-Battery Energy Storage Systems Considering the State of Charge and Power Ramp Rate Published in: IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics ( Volume: 40, Issue: 7, July 2025 )
First-generation flywheel energy-storage systems use a large steel flywheel rotating on mechanical bearings. Newer systems use carbon-fiber composite rotors that have a higher tensile strength than steel and can store much more energy for the same mass.
There is noticeable progress in FESS, especially in utility, large-scale deployment for the electrical grid, and renewable energy applications. This paper gives a review of the
Flywheel energy storage systems are feasible for short-duration applications, which are crucial for the reliability of an electrical grid with large renewable energy penetration.
OverviewApplicationsMain componentsPhysical characteristicsComparison to electric batteriesSee alsoFurther readingExternal links
In the 1950s, flywheel-powered buses, known as gyrobuses, were used in Yverdon (Switzerland) and Ghent (Belgium) and there is ongoing research to make flywheel systems that are smaller, lighter, cheaper and have a greater capacity. It is hoped that flywheel systems can replace conventional chemical batteries for mobile applications, such as for electric vehicles. Proposed flywhe
The rising demand for continuous and clean electricity supply using renewable energy sources, uninterrupted power supply to responsible consumers and an increas
Moreover, flywheel energy storage system array (FESA) is a potential and promising alternative to other forms of ESS in power system applications for improving power system efficiency, stability and security . However, control systems of PV-FESS, WT-FESS and FESA are crucial to guarantee the FESS performance.
First-generation flywheel energy-storage systems use a large steel flywheel rotating on mechanical bearings. Newer systems use carbon-fiber composite rotors that have a higher tensile strength than steel and can store much more energy for the same mass. To reduce friction, magnetic bearings are sometimes used instead of mechanical bearings.
Throughout the process of reviewing the existing FESS applications and integration in the power system, the current research status shows that flywheel energy storage systems have the potential to provide fast and reliable frequency regulation services, which are crucial for maintaining grid stability and ensuring power quality.
Flywheels, one of the earliest forms of energy storage, could play a significant role in the transformation of the electrical power system into one that is fully sustainable yet low cost.
Compared to battery energy storage system, flywheel excels in providing rapid response times, making them highly effective in managing sudden frequency fluctuations, while battery energy storage system, with its ability to store large amounts of energy, offers sustained response, maintaining stability .
Abstract: This article proposed a compact and highly efficient flywheel energy storage system. Single coreless stator and double rotor structures are used to eliminate the idling loss caused by the flux of permanent magnetic machines. A novel compact magnetic bearing is proposed to eliminate the friction loss during high-speed operation.
