24 Hour Emergency Power Services • Call 608-661-9910

Close Menu
cylindrical flywheel comparison

Types of Flywheels- A Comparison

Recently, we discussed the history and basic workings of the Flywheel UPS system, but did you know that there are also several different types and configurations of these systems? This article goes into more detail regarding the three main styles of Flywheel UPS.

Flywheel UPS

Conceptually, this system is simple. A rotor is suspended by magnetic bearings in a vacuum chamber, connected to an electric motor and an electric generator. The rotor accelerates to high speed in a drum and maintains its rotational energy until that energy is ready to be used. When the energy is released, the rotational speed of the flywheel is reduced. Adding energy increases the speed of the flywheel. Most FES systems use electricity to accelerate and decelerate the flywheel.

Flywheel UPS systems are typically better at operating in harsher environments, where they can help “smooth out” power disturbances. They are often seen in Manufacturing, Oil and Gas Industries, and even some science labs, where large energy charges need to be released in short bursts. These are all examples of a good use for a flywheel UPS.

Flywheel UPS Advantages:

Flywheel UPS Disadvantages:

Static UPS coupled with Flywheel 

This is often the most popular type way a flywheel is used as a UPS. It is built on the same type of technology and footprint of a standard static UPS system, but in place of the batteries, a flywheel is used to provide run-time and power conditioning to the DC Buss of the UPS unit. This system is typically marketed as a way to eliminate the need for batteries and, as a result, decrease costs.

However, businesses that require a longer ride-through for power system outages, will look to either additional flywheel units, or will integrate batteries in addition to the flywheel to increase their run-time in the event of a generator failure or other issue.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Diesel Rotary UPS (DRUPS)

A DRUPS combines the functionality of a flywheel protected UPS with a diesel generator.

Diagram of the components of a Diesel Rotary UPS

When combined with a reactor or a choke coil, the generator also works as an active filter for many power quality problems, such as harmonics, RFI, and frequency variations. When the utility or main power source fails, energy released in the flywheel drives the electric generator, which continues providing power without interruption. At the same time, the diesel engine takes over the flywheel to drive the electric generator to make required electricity. The flywheel continues to support the generator to keep a stable output frequency.

Because of the unique design of coupling the flywheel with the generator, there are other advantages too, including the ability of the flywheel inertia to start the generator in the event of a failed battery or other starting component failure, similar to how one would clutch start a manual vehicle.

The DRUPS are often seen in larger manufacturing and automation environments. They can be used for niche applications in military and industrial work. It is like a mini “power plant” for the company using it. In addition, they are becoming more popular in data centers and IT environments where space is a premium.

Eurodiesel DURPS units outside

Advantages

Disadvantages

Maintenance on a flywheel UPS environment is recommended at least twice a year. Quality Power Solutions has proven experts that can make designing and maintaining the right solution easier for you. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help!

Take a deep dive into how Flywheel Uninterruptible Power supplies work—read our series of articles about Flywheel UPS.

Components-of-a-Successful-IT-Data-Center When A Flywheel UPS Makes Sense

By now we have examined flywheel UPS machines from several different angles: their history , how…

Maintenance on a flywheel ups Flywheel Maintenance- A Checklist

In our previous articles, we discussed an overview of Flywheel UPS systems and the types of…

cylindrical flywheel comparison Types of Flywheels- A Comparison

Recently, we discussed the history and basic workings of the Flywheel UPS system , but did…

Is a Flywheel UPS right for your organization? Get in touch with the experts at QPS to find out more.

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.