how feasible are flywheels for data center energy storage solutions? what is the average backup time that can be achieved through it? Can they be used for larger data centers? Is there anyone who is using it?
Flywheels are quite feasible for data centers and are being used as replacements for batteries at many sites. Pentadyne, Active Power and VYCON are manufacturers of modern low mass, high speed flywheel UPS units. Other manufacturers (Piller, for example) make more traditional high mass, low speed units.
yes kentucky, it is used for backup energy storage purposes. it is used in places where power failure is frequent as in such environments, the life of the batteries are considerably reduced because of the constant charge and discharge cycle.
Ken, few seconds? that's all? any scope of prolonging the duration?
the backup provided by one flywheel can be a little limiting; just like how the backup provided by one battery is not very substantial. if a number of flywheels are connected in series, parallel or series-parallel, then the life of the backup improves to a great extent. but it will definitely cannot be compared to the backup provided by the lead-acid batteries.