The present invention provides a flywheel having a high energy density, a designing method which facilitates the designing of the flywheel, and an energy storage system which can achieve both an increase in storage energy and a reduction in weight by adopting the flywheel. A flywheel A includes: a low-density disk 10 having a low average density; and a high-density outer edge section 11 which is provided on the outer circumference of the low-density disk 10, and has an average density higher than that of the low-density disk 10.

This disclosure describes novel hybrid energy storage systems for providing short-term and long-term storage and delivery of electricity generated by any energy source including renewable energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy. The hybrid energy storage systems described herein have a higher overall real-world efficiency than energy storage systems currently available.

An electrical power generating apparatus for generating electrical power using a generator connected directly or indirectly to a flywheel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises items such as platforms, protrusions, generators, flywheels and other components. The platforms are configured to be laid on a surface and easily allow an object, e.g., a vehicle to traverse over the platforms. Each protrusion is configured to move downward and upward through apertures located in a top portion of the platform. The protrusions may interact with reset members. The protrusions move in a linear/angle downward/downward-upward motion when the object pushes/strikes/depresses the protrusions. Each protrusion can be connected in an operative manner to a shaft via a gear, and/or to a lever which is connected in an operative manner to shaft, thereby rotating the shaft by converting linear motion to rotational motion. A generator, flywheel, and gearbox can be coupled to one or more shaft.

Disclosed is a dual motor unit for a flywheel mass accumulator, with at least two electric machines coupled to a common rotary body; wherein the electric machines have different power characteristics and the dual motor unit is adapted to provide a total operating power in an operating speed range (Ω) by an interaction of the electric machines. The power characteristic (P.sub.max) is non-linearly dependent on a rotational speed (ω) of the common rotary body.

This disclosure describes novel hybrid energy storage systems for providing short-term and long-term storage and delivery of electricity generated by any energy source including renewable energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy. The hybrid energy storage systems described herein have a higher overall real-world efficiency than energy storage systems currently available.

An energy storage module for the reversible storage of electric energy is provided that comprises several flywheel energy storage units that are electrically connected in parallel via a shared DC link. A first regulation system is connected to the DC link and that, during normal operation (NO), connects the DC link to one or more external power networks in order to absorb (En) energy from or release (Ep) energy into the external power network(s). A second regulation system includes an input side and an output side, whereby the input side is connected to at least the DC link while the output side is connected to an internal supply network for purposes of supplying one or more electrically powered operating aggregates that are needed to operate the flywheel energy storage units.

An electrical power generating apparatus for generating electrical power using a generator connected directly or indirectly to a flywheel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises items such as platforms, protrusions, generators, flywheels and other components. The platforms are configured to be laid on a surface and easily allow an object, e.g., a vehicle to traverse over the platforms. Each protrusion is configured to move downward and upward through apertures located in a top portion of the platform. The protrusions may interact with reset members. The protrusions move in a linear/angle downward/downward-upward motion when the object pushes/strikes/depresses the protrusions. Each protrusion can be connected in an operative manner to a shaft via a gear, and/or to a lever which is connected in an operative manner to shaft, thereby rotating the shaft by converting linear motion to rotational motion. A generator, flywheel, and gearbox can be coupled to one or more shaft.

An electrical power generating apparatus for generating electrical power using a generator connected directly or indirectly to a flywheel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises platforms, protrusions, generators, flywheels and other components. The platforms are configured to be laid on a surface and easily allow an object, e.g., a vehicle to traverse over the platforms. Each protrusion is configured to move downward and upward through apertures located in a top portion of the platform. The protrusions interact with reset members. The protrusions move in a linear/angle downward/downward-upward motion when the object pushes/strikes/depresses the protrusions. Each protrusion is connected in an operative manner to a shaft via a gear, and/or to a lever which is connected in an operative manner to shaft, thereby rotating the shaft by converting linear motion to rotational motion. A generator, flywheel, and gearbox can be coupled to the shaft.

An apparatus for transferring energy from cell to cell of a battery, wherein each cell is connected to its individual electrical motor/alternator through an electronic module, and wherein each motor/alternator is mechanically connected to a common flywheel. The electrical motor/alternator preferably is an electrical motor that provides rotational work and generates power when being driven by an external source of rotational kinetic energy or by an external source of rotational power. The common flywheel stores rotational kinetic energy. Cells of the battery provide various torque on the flywheel or on the shaft driving the flywheel. Cells with higher than average output current will provide higher than average torque, thus providing higher than average kinetic energy input to the flywheel, while cells with lower than average output current will provide lower than average torque, or will provide negative torque, the motor/alternator acting then as an alternator recharging the cell.

A controller for controlling an energy discharge from an energy saving device to a power grid. The system includes decision logic to implement a local response responsive to events currently occurring in a power grid and in addition remote commands sent from a remote location.