New Invention: Minimal Energy-Loss Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) System

An inventor from China presented at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2014 the invention: “Minimal Energy-Loss Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) System”.

Flywheel energy storage (FES), through maintaining the energy in the high-speed rotating system, can store electricity from the electric grid in the form of kinetic energy and dispense that energy back to the grid in quick bursts later. It makes FES a great potential energy storage system for intermittent/unpredictable renewable energy sources. However, the energy loss caused by permanent-magnet (PM) motor limits the storage time and complicates the structure of FES.

This invention simplifies the structure of FES by employing a stator-excitation PM motor and reduces the iron loss by online magnetizing/demagnetizing magnets before/after energy conversion. Moreover, a magnetic bearing is employed to avoid mechanical frictions. As a result, the novel FES device significantly extends the energy storage time with great robustness and reliability with traditional FES systems.

Special features and advantages:

- Reduce energy loss and extend storage time, as no iron loss in kinetic energy storage with online magnetization before and demagnetization after energy conversion;

- High efficiency achieved by a magnetic bearing to avoid mechanical friction;

- High reliability by integrating the robust rotor structure of stator-permanent motor with the flywheel.

The inventor is interested in commercialization of its already patented invention and is seeking appropriate interested manufacturer. European Patent Registration and Consulting Services GmbH has made direct contact with the inventor and has access to information about the invention directly from the inventor. Interested parties for the invention can contact European Patent Registration at epo@epo-prs.de.