A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device that is used to store rotational energy. It is a wheel that has an axle attached, which is used to rotate it around a central point. When the wheel is given a push, it continues rotating in a circular motion, due to its inertia. Flywheels store rotational energy as kinetic energy, by virtue of their inertia.
The main purpose of a flywheel is to provide a smoother and regular energy supply. In automotive applications, it is used to smooth out the power delivery of an internal combustion engine, making it less prone to stalling. In some cases, a flywheel can be used to increase the engines power output.
In machinery, flywheels are commonly used to reduce the amount of vibration and noise. They are also used to regulate the speed at which the machine is operating and to absorb energy during sudden accelerations and decelerations.
When used in cranes, flywheels also provide a smoother operation by acting as a counterweight and providing a mechanical link between the crane and the cargo it is hoisting. A flywheel can also be used to control the tension in cable hoisting applications.
Flywheels are also commonly used in wind turbines. The blades of a wind turbine act as the flywheel, helping to adjust the speed of the turbine in order to optimise the output of electricity. In a wind turbine, a larger flywheel can also be used to provide a more efficient energy storage system than a battery.
In some cases, flywheels can be used to store energy for later use. This is done by spinning the wheel up to a certain speed which stores energy in its kinetic form. When the flywheel needs to release its energy, the wheel is slowed down and the energy is converted back to electricity. Flywheels are often used in conjunction with solar energy systems, as they can store energy collected during sunny days and make it available on cloudy days.
Flywheels are also used in large variety of industrial applications, such as in textile manufacturing, pulp and paper mills and sheet metal working. In large processing plants, a flywheel can be used to produce a steady supply of energy to operate a variety of machines.
Flywheels can also be used in electrical generators, as they help to regulate the speed of the generator and the voltage output.
Flywheels offer many advantages over other energy storage systems. They are relatively easy to manufacture and maintain, and they have a long lifetime. They are also extremely efficient in their ability to store large amounts of energy without degradation. As such, flywheels are one of the most popular energy storage solutions available today.
