Companies Race to Develop Utility-Scale Power.

[Dan Moadus]

I must admit, the flywheel idea is one of the silliest ideas I have heard. I recently found some 1949 "Popular Science" magazines and really got a few good laughs at items that were showcased that they thought were the latest "up and coming" gadgets. Of course none of them are around today.

This flywheel idea is dumb for a couple of reasons. First, The only amount of electrical energy they could store would be the amount that was used to accelerate the flywheels from at rest to full speed. Similar to a weight suspended which represents "potential" energy, and only can store the amount that was used to lift it. The flywheel is not even as good at storing energy as the suspended weight because it slows down over time while the suspended weight could retain it's potential energy forever. Additionally, the flywheel would have to be "revved" up occasionally which would use energy that was already paid for and could not be returned.

The moral to this story is that nothing yet has been invented that could replace the energy produced by the sun and stored in the earth as coal. Sorry.

[irishbobcat]

Companies Race to Develop Utility-Scale Power.


By Phil Taylor, Greenwire, September 28, 2009. "Using federal loan guarantees and $4 billion in 'smart grid' stimulus cash, [companies] are working on utility-scale storage units that they hope will help balance intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar and let electric grid operators match power supplies with demand. Among the leaders is a Massachusetts company that plans to use hundreds of 'flywheels' to store 20 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 200 homes for a day. Beacon Power Corp. is working with a $43 million federal loan guarantee for its $69 million storage project in Stephentown, N.Y., which is scheduled to break ground by year's end. The plant would store cheap 'off peak' electricity in 2,500-pound flywheels that turn faster than the speed of sound. When the electricity prices rise -- or when winds die -- energy can be withdrawn from the wheels and sold to the grid at a premium rate." 

Once again, this flywheel technology will help solar and wind power become a greater player in the smart grid plan and help reduce the use of fossil fuels. When will Ohio finally wise up and join the plan? Dennis SpisakMahoning Valley Green PartyOhio Green Party www.ohiogreens.orgwww.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/