Performance analysis of a low-cost small-scale flywheel energy storage system

摘要

This paper presents the construction and experimental results for a low cost, small scale flywheel system (1.08kg), meant to be used for near-miniature applications where power or current buffering is needed in short bursts. The mechanical construction and the driver circuit are presented and explained. The flywheel is characterized using easy to reproduce methods over a range of rotational speeds - 2000rpm (209.4rad/s) to 8000rpm (837.7rad/s). The efficiencies at startup and as a generator under various loads are deduced, and it is demonstrated that the effect of air drag, as the main power loss mechanism, can be substantially mitigated even using partial vacuuming only.