Electric Mechanical Energy Storage

Mechanical energy storage systems take advantage of kinetic or gravitational forces to store inputted energy. While the physics of mechanical systems are often quite simple (e.g. spin a flywheel or lift weights up a hill), the technologies that enable the efficient and effective use of these forces are particularly advanced.

In mechanical energy storage system (MESS), there is a conversion of energy from mechanical to electrical form . In times of low energy demands, electrical energy is taken from the grid and stored until the time of high demand when it is then converted back to electrical energy and transmitted back to the grid .

In this service, mechanical energy storage technologies, such as PHS, CAES, and GES are used to store energy during the time of excess production of power and to inject back energy into the grid during limited generation of power. In this service, power is delivered by the storage technology for several hours.

Mechanical energy storage systems are very efficient in overcoming the intermittent aspect of renewable sources. Flywheel, pumped hydro and compressed air are investigated as mechanical energy storage. Parameters that affect the coupling of mechanical storage systems with solar and wind energies are studied.

These include deployment of hybrid energy storage technologies, multi-functional applications of mechanical energy storage systems through appropriate control methodologies and proper sizing strategies for cost effectiveness and increased penetrations of renewable energy sources in the power grid. Block diagram of mechanical energy storage systems.

Mechanical energy exists in two primary forms: potential and kinetic. Systems such as pumped hydro storage (PHS) and compressed air energy storage (CAES) store potential energy while flywheel energy storage systems (FESs) store kinetic energy.