Flywheels in Machines
Learn how flywheels in machines store energy for A Level Physics. This revision note also covers key applications, including engines and braking systems.
Flywheels with a larger diameter and more mass concentrated near the rim will have a higher moment of inertia, allowing them to store more energy. The angular velocity (ω) also plays a significant role, as the rotational kinetic energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square of its rotational speed.
In this storage scheme, kinetic energy is stored by spinning a disk or rotor about its axis. Amount of energy stored in disk or rotor is directly proportional to the square of the wheel speed and rotor׳s mass moment of inertia. Whenever power is required, flywheel uses the rotor inertia and converts stored kinetic energy into electricity .
The Physics of Flywheels: Harnessing the Power of Rotational Kinetic Energy At the heart of a flywheel's energy storage capabilities lies the fundamental principles of physics, specifically the concepts of rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum.
Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) rely on a mechanical working principle: An electric motor is used to spin a rotor of high inertia up to 20,000-50,000 rpm. Electrical energy is thus converted to kinetic energy for storage. For discharging, the motor acts as a generator, braking the rotor to produce electricity.
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