Machine Based Flywheel Energy Storage Research Articles

High-gain observer-based sensorless control of a flywheel energy storage system for integration with a grid-connected variable-speed wind generator

This paper introduces an induction machine-based flywheel energy storage system (FESS) for direct integration with a variable-speed wind generator (VSWG). The aim is to connect the FESS at the DC bus level of a permanent magnet synchronous generator-based VSWG in order to stabilize the DC bus voltage as well as the power flowing into the grid. A rotor flux-oriented control strategy is proposed for the FESS converter based on the actual speed of the flywheel rotor. Since mechanical speed sensors are prone to failure and increase the maintenance cost of the system, a sensorless technique is proposed to estimate the rotor speed through a specially synthesized high-gain observer (HGO). The proposed observer achieves accurate tracking of the flywheel speed and flux and reduces the adverse effects of variations in the rated rotor resistance. Simulation results obtained using the MATLAB-Simulink environment are presented to illustrate the theoretical synthesis and analysis of the proposed FOC and sensorless HGO control strategies.

Performance and Loss Analysis of Squirrel Cage Induction Machine Based Flywheel Energy Storage System

Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) are one of the earliest forms of energy storage technologies with several benefits of long service time, high power density, low maintenance, and insensitivity to environmental conditions being important areas of research in recent years. This paper focusses on the electrical machine and power electronics, an important part of a flywheel system, the electrical machine rotating with the flywheel inertia in order to perform charge-discharge cycles. The type of machine used in the electrical drive plays an important role in the characteristics governing electrical losses as well as standby losses. Permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) and induction machines (IM) are the two most common types of electric machines used in FESS applications where the latter has negligible standby losses due to its lower rotor magnetic field until energised by the stator. This paper describes research in which the operational and standby losses of a squirrel-cage induction machine-based flywheel storage system (SCIM-FESS) are modelled as a system developed in MATLAB/Simulink environment inclusive of the control system for the power electronics converters. Using the proposed control algorithm and in-depth analysis of the system losses, a detailed assessment of the dynamic performance of the SCIM-FESS is performed for different states of charging, discharging, and standby modes. The results of the analysis show that, in presence of system losses including aerodynamic and bearing friction losses, the SCIM-FESS has satisfactory characteristics in energy regulation and dynamic response during load torque variations. The compliance of FESS and its conversion between the generating and motoring mode within milliseconds show the responsiveness of the proposed control system.

Dynamics of a Flywheel Energy Storage System Supporting a Wind Turbine Generator in a Microgrid

Abstract Integration of an induction machine based flywheel energy storage system with a wind energy conversion system is implemented in this paper. The nonlinear and linearized models of the flywheel are studied, compared and a reduced order model of the same simulated to analyze the influence of the flywheel inertia and control in system response during a wind power change. A quantification of the relation between the inertia of the flywheel and the controller gain is obtained which allows the system to be considered as a reduced order model that is more controllable in nature. A microgrid setup comprising of the flywheel energy storage system, a two mass model of a DFIG based wind turbine generator and a reduced order model of a diesel generator is utilized to analyse the microgrid dynamics accurately in the event of frequency variations arising due to wind power change. The response of the microgrid with and without the flywheel is studied.

Induction machine based flywheel energy storage system

This study introduces a field oriented controlled (FOC) induction machine based flywheel energy storage (FES) system fed from a 20 kHz high frequency (HF) ac link and pulse density modulated (PDM) Converter. The feasibility of FES system is investigated both in software and hardware and is demonstrated successfully in both cases. The investigated system offers a good potential as a temporary energy storage system for various applications from automobile industry to aerospace applications.