Flywheel Technology Offers a Reliable, Green Energy Solution
Presentation Summary:
Flywheel systems are as sustainable as they are reliable which is why these
systems are being deployed around the globe in mission-critical operations such
as data centers, hospitals, universities, broadcast studios and manufacturing
plants to protect critical computing equipment from damaging and costly power
outages and to provide a greener solution over battery-based uninterruptible
power systems (UPSs). The addition of a flywheel system also results in reduced
peak power, lower fuel consumption, and energy savings in electric motors and
diesel generators on shipyard cranes, rail power substations and wind power
generation systems. Flywheel systems are ideal to meet the needs of the
constantly changing power quality market, today and well into the future.
Speakers: John Englhardt and Dann McKeraghan. John Englhardt has
an engineering degree from Miami University and has been involved in the sales
and marketing of power quality products and services since 1983. John began his
career with Liebert Corporation and eventually left for an opportunity with
Exide Electronics with whom he has been associated with for over 21 years. John
founded E Technologies in 1998 and immediately became the NE Ohio representative
for Exide Electronics (now known as EATON | Powerware). E Technologies is based
in Chagrin Falls and continues to represent Eaton | Powerware and several other
complimentary products including Vycon Flywheels, Universal Electric’s Starline
Track Busway, Rittal, and others.
During his 25-year career, Dann McKeraghan has held key positions with power
quality leaders such as Eaton, Exide Electronics, Power Distribution Inc. and
VYCON. Prior to joining VYCON, Dann was with Eaton Corporation where he managed
the Central Zone for Eaton’s Powerware brand of Uninterruptible Power Systems
(UPSs) and associated power quality solutions for nearly a decade.
Dann joined VYCON in October 2008 and currently holds the position of vice
president. Under his direction, strategic programs were initiated that included
establishment of industry alliances, increasing awareness in the market for
VYCON’s unique flywheel technology, building of a world class sales team and
implementation of proven sales processes for large capital equipment. Through
his leadership VYCON sales in the power quality market has expanded to record
levels for the company.
Location:
Mavis Winkle's Irish Pub 5005 Rockside Road (In the Cleveland Clinic Building)
Independence, Ohio 44131 (At the intersection of Rockside Rd. and I-77)
Date:
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Notes from meeting:
Flywheels versus Batteries:
A flywheel can be used in place of a battery bank for emergency power backup.
Why flywheels?
Not affected by temperature
Long (20 year) lifespan
High efficiency (99.4%)
Small footprint -- wt = 1500 lbs vs. battery bank wt. of 3500 lbs
Minimal Maintenance
High power density
High reliability -- don't know the capability of a battery until a load is put on it.
Simple installation
Possibly no bearing changes
Environmentally friendly (no acid or lead) - no hydrogen detectors required
Smaller carbon footprint (energy required to install/dispose of batteries)
Batteries:
Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) - 3 to 5 yrs life
Wet cell battery - require spill containment
Require cooling or heating
Number of discharges kills battery life
Average ROI for DC Flywheel vs. Battery is 4 years.
Average outage for data centers is 8 seconds in 99% of instances
Average utility outage is 2 min.
Market segments:
Energy re-cycling applications
Train station -- can capture energy upon braking, release it at start (only a few applications)
Shipping Cranes -- on the downcycle of the crane, caputre energy, release it to lift
Results in 40% savings on fuel to run cranes
Flywheels rotate at about 36000 rpm, housed in environmentally controlled housings.
Flywheels are made of steel; they are "mechanical batteries"
Flywheels are stressed to 48% of their engineered capacity.
Flywheel Details:
Magnetic Levitation is used in a vacuum housing, so no bearings are required.
Only maintenance is annually changing the oil in the vacuum pump.
Typically vertical orientation; unit is dynamically balanced.
Windings are in the stator; rotor has only permanent magnets.
Weight of flywheel itself is 800 lbs; total assembly is about 1500 lbs.
Stores about 300kw for of useable power for 10 secs. at 36000 rpm down to 18000 rpm.
Gives about 20 seconds at full load power; at normal loads, about 45 to 90 seconds
Most UPS generators take 10-12 secs. to come up and take over the charging operation; the flywheel is used to keep power on the grid for this time period.
400-600V from the flywheel for a 480V nominal voltage.
Kinetic Energy:
KE = m(rpm) squared
Low Speed (up to 8000 rpm): Double the mass = double the energy
High Speed: Double the rpm = quadruple the energy
Second generation design:
Ultra-high speed (52000 rpm)
Carbon graphite, liquid cooled
Small composite mass (60 lb)
No recovery from drop out event
Flywheel can be used in parallel with battery for Battery Hardening applications.
This eliminates harsh initial power drop on battery at switchover time
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