The Minto flywheel project in Ontario is a “mechanical battery” that stores electricity in the form of kinetic energy — one ingenious solution to the search for the “holy grail” of the electricity system.
What is flywheel energy storage?
Flywheel energy storage provides a way for customers to re-use energy on systems like mine hoists and dramatically reduce or minimize their peak demand. Our technology can also make electricity grids more efficient, as well as reduce CO 2 emissions from base-load power plants and smooth electricity price fluctuations.
The Clear Creek Flywheel Energy Storage System is a 5,000kW energy storage project located in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. The electro-mechanical energy storage project uses flywheel as its storage technology. The project was announced in 2013 and was commissioned in 2016.
What is a 4 MW flywheel energy storage facility?
Bottom Photo: 4 MW Flywheel Energy Storage Facility (Minto, Ontario) for grid frequency regulation. Lids covering 10 underground flywheels at the first flywheel system site in Minto, Ontario. Each flywheel extends approximately 3 metres (10 feet) underground. Photo provided by Temporal.
Can a flywheel generate electricity on demand?
The flywheel's momentum can then be harnessed to generate electricity on demand. Temporal Power's flywheel technology provides high-performance energy storage with high power, fast response, and unlimited cycling capacity. Each flywheel weighs about 12,000 pounds and can spin at speeds in excess of 11,000 RPM.
What does a flywheel do?
For electricity grids, flywheels do three things. First, they regulate power coming onto the grid from intermittent generators like wind turbines. Second, our flywheels store power as kinetic energy in giant 4,000-kilogram solid steel flywheels until it's needed.
High performance flywheels in particular are gaining attention, not only in Ontario, but also on the global stage.