Pulsed power provision by high speed composite flywheel

Flywheels are one of the oldest forms of energy storage and have been used in many applications. Traditionally however, these have been large steel wheels rotating at low speed. Consequently their utilisation has been limited due to space constraints. With the advent of modern materials and techniques such as high strength composites, permanent magnets and power electronics it is now possible to utilise a “modern” flywheel to store energy for electrical applications. This paper describes the design of a state of the art high speed composite flywheel and looks at the benefits of this technology compared to other energy storage media. It also reviews some of the applications for which the flywheel is particularly suited and considers possibilities for future development