Developments have made flywheels very efficient for the short-term storage of energy. Simultaneous improvements in electric motor/generator design have led to a new generation of efficient, light, units. It is proposed that this progress be embodied in a public transport system which utilises electric transmission to drive a traction motor from three on-board flywheels. The energy is replenished at bus stops by making electrical connection such that the flyweels are accelerated by motor/generator units. The use of charging stations at bus stops considerably reduces the infrastructure cost compared to the capital and maintenance costs of the overhead power lines used by trolley buses. A computer simulation shows that the proposed system is energy efficient, and it is deduced that the power units would be comparable in weight to the diesel engine and transmission system of a conventional bus. Essential features of the proposed bus design are the use of regenerative braking and the provision of a small battery pack to provide emergency power.
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