Beacon - Carbon Fiber Flywheels
Beacon’s flywheel is essentially a mechanical battery that stores kinetic energy in a rotating mass. Advanced power electronics and a motor/generator convert that kinetic energy to electric energy, making it instantly available when needed. Our systems are modular and can be configured to meet the power capacity demands of a variety of applications, from 100 kW to multi-MW systems.
Products Details:
At the core of Beacon’s flywheel technology is a patented carbon fiber composite rim, supported by a hub and shaft with an attached motor/generator. Together, the rim, hub, shaft and motor/generator form the rotor assembly. Power electronics and the motor/generator efficiently convert electrical energy into mechanical energy when the flywheel is charging and back to electrical energy when discharging. When charging (or absorbing) energy, the flywheel’s motor acts like a load and draws power from the grid to accelerate the rotor to a higher speed. When discharging, the motor is switched into generator mode, and the inertial energy of the rotor drives the generator, creating electricity which is injected back into the grid. Always spinning in the same direction, the flywheel system can instantly shift back and forth between charging and discharging modes.
Beacon’s high-performance rotor assembly spins up to 16,000 rpm. The rotor assembly is enclosed in a sealed vacuum chamber which provides a near frictionless environment and also eliminates exposure to oxygen and moisture which extends the life of the internal components. To reduce wear and further extend the life of the internal parts while minimizing friction, a magnetic lift system uses a non-contacting magnetic field to fully lift and support the rotor. Beacon’s patented top and bottom bearing system ensures the spinning rotor maintains its axis of rotation with extremely low bearing loads. With the ability to perform more than 175,000 full depth charge and discharge cycles, Beacon flywheels can outperform and outlast other storage technologies in high-cycle applications, and the robust design minimizes the need for flywheel system maintenance.
Unique Value
Beacon flywheels have a low lifetime cost per unit of work. In a typical bulk grid frequency regulation mode with each flywheel set to absorb or inject 160 kW, each flywheel has the ability to perform more than 175,000 full depth charge and discharge cycles over its lifetime.
This significant cycle duty means Beacon flywheels can outperform and outlast other storage technologies in high-cycle applications. And with partial depth-of-discharge cycles common in many applications, the cycle life increases substantially. Flywheels provide a great value in high-cycle applications, such as frequency regulation where rapid real-time adjustments correct generation and load imbalances to maintain grid frequency at 50/60 Hz, or smoothing and integrating the highly variable output of intermittent renewable resources like solar and wind.
Grid operators and utilities want to deliver the lowest lifetime cost of service for equipment in heavy workload utility system environments. Beacon flywheels can handle heavy duty high-cycle workloads without the ongoing degradation that shortens the life of other technologies. The full 100% depth-of-discharge range is available for regular use. There is no need to limit depth-of-discharge to specific ranges to manage cycle life or to oversize the storage capacity. Unlike some other technologies, charge and discharge rates are symmetrical, meaning the units recharge as quickly as they discharge which enhances their operational effectiveness.
The flywheel is designed with the power-to-energy ratios needed for grid stabilizing and renewable power smoothing. With a lifespan of over 20 years in demanding high cycle applications, the typical lifetime cost of a flywheel storage system is significantly less than competitive solutions.
Set in the frequency regulation mode, Beacon’s flywheel can move 5,000 MWh through the machine over its lifetime, making it one of the lowest cost per lifetime-kWh devices available.
Modular Design
Beacon’s flywheel storage systems are modular, providing flexibility in power capacity, energy duration, and siting. Each module is a stand-alone unit, requiring just 480V AC power and communication connections to operate. A storage module consists of a flywheel, power control module, flywheel foundation, cooling system, and the necessary mounting and support connections.
Like building blocks, single flywheel modules fit together with others to build a flywheel energy storage system of any size from 100 kW to multi-MW power plants. The modular configuration minimizes site footprint and enables owners to place the exact amount of stabilizing resource in the exact location needed. The layout of the modules can be configured to maximize use of space. Depending on the specific site, more than 20 MW can be installed per acre. Each module in a flywheel energy storage system is designed to function on a fully independent basis which results in high plant availability and optimizes performance.
Environmental Benefits
Beacon flywheel storage systems have a positive impact on the environment.
As a technology facilitating delivery of reliable electricity, Beacon flywheel systems are unique. Flywheels store surplus grid energy and rapidly recycle it back into the grid when needed. There is no direct fuel use or air emissions. Further environmental benefits include very low noise levels (conventional cooling fans), no water use, and no use of or need to dispose of harmful chemicals or other hazardous materials in system operations.
As a participant in the bulk electric system, Beacon flywheels enable greater use of renewable generation by managing the impacts of variable output of wind and solar and also reduce the need for conventional generation ramping, resulting in lower system fuel consumption and therefore lower total CO2 and other emissions.
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