SBIR Phase I: Reliable, Low Cost Support System for Flywheel Energy Storage

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将探索飞轮储能（FES）系统，作为在偏远、寒冷环境中储能电池的替代方案。由于缺乏合适的储存，风能和太阳能等可再生能源的使用变得复杂。电池通常很重，运输成本也很高；拥有有限的生命，需要温暖才能有效运作；并在它们的生命结束时造成处理问题。FES可以提供更高的能量密度，无限的寿命，对低温相对不敏感，并且没有有毒化合物。由于高转速，飞轮需要磁轴承支撑，但主动磁轴承需要电源和控制电子设备，从而降低存储效率并呈现故障点和维护需求。被动磁轴承是静止FES系统的较好选择，但制造困难且阻尼低。第一阶段将开发一种被动轴承系统，制造起来更容易，成本更低。飞轮及其阻尼系统将允许这些新轴承应用于固定FES系统。商业应用分为三类：替代能源存储、公用事业负载均衡和不间断电力应用。太阳能电力系统被认为是一个增长的市场，在这个市场上，FES比传统电池具有优势。公用事业负载均衡应用将节省维护成本和调峰电力设施成本。不间断电源也可能是一个增长的市场。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will explore Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) systems as an alternative to batteries for electrical energy storage in remote, cold environments. Use of renewable energy sources in wind and solar power is complicated by a lack of suitable storage. Batteries are typically heavy and expensive to transport; have limited life, require warmth for effective operation; and pose disposal problems at the end of their life. FES may offer higher energy densities, unlimited life, relative insensitivity to low temperatures, and absence of toxic compounds. Due to the high rotational speeds, flywheels require magnetic bearing support, but active magnetic bearings require power supplies and control electronics that reduce storage efficiency and present failure points and maintenance needs. Passive magnetic bearings are a better choice for stationary FES systems but have been difficult to manufacture and suffer from low damping. Phase I will develop a passive bearing system that is easier, and less expensive to manufacture. The flywheel and its damping systems would allow these new bearings to be applied to stationary FES systems. The commercial applications fall into three classes: alternative energy storage, utility load leveling, and uninterruptible power applications. Solar electric systems are thought to be a growth market in which FES has advantages over conventional batteries. Utility load leveling applications would result in cost savings in maintenance and peaking power facility costs. Uninterruptible power supplies may also be a growth market.