Is flywheel energy storage the most advanced

Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, Sou th Africa. Abstract - This study gives a critical review of flywheel energy storage systems and their feasibility in various applications. Flywheel energy storage systems have gained increased popularity as a method of environmentally friendly energy storage.

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.

However, the high cost of purchase and maintenance of solar batteries has been a major hindrance. Flywheel energy storage systems are suitable and economical when frequent charge and discharge cycles are required. Furthermore, flywheel batteries have high power density and a low environmental footprint.

Magnetic and cryogenic bearings, which minimise energy losses due to friction and improve system longevity and efficiency. Vacuum chambers, which reduce air resistance (windage losses), allowing the flywheel to operate at higher speeds with minimal thermal energy dissipation.

High-strength steel flywheels have a high energy density (volume-based energy) due to their high mass density. Furthermore, they are superior to composite ones regarding thermal conductivity and design data availability, such as SN curves and fracture toughness.

Thanks to the unique advantages such as long life cycles, high power density, minimal environmental impact, and high power quality such as fast response and voltage stability, the flywheel/kinetic energy storage system (FESS) is gaining attention recently.