Practical energy storage utilising Kinetic Energy Storage Batteries (KESB)

摘要

Energy storage has been described as the “Holy Grail” of energy utilization. Electricity has to be continuously generated, but unfortunately demand for electricity happens in cycles where there are times of huge peak demand and at other times very low demand. The periodic cost of electricity is charged at the peak rate rather than an average rate. Storage batteries can smooth out the energy demand surge thus reducing costs to the consumer. There are many other advantages such as storing large amounts of energy when demand is low to be released when peak demand occurs thus easing the pressure on the generating infrastructure. This almost instantaneous injection of energy into the system gives the energy generators a great deal of flexibility in planning and distributing energy to the grid. It is proposed that one of the more practical methods of storing the energy is that of a Kinetic Energy Storage Battery (KESB). This is essentially a flywheel storage system. This paper proposes how a low speed, low tech, sustainably manufactured KESB can flexibly meet the arduous demands of the electricity distribution network. The paper also explores the cost advantages and ecological advantages of applying a bank of such devices.