BALCONES TECHNOLOGIES LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N171-095

Description

Our team proposes to build on our previous high temperature superconducting magnetic bearing (HTSMB) design experience to enable multi-MW class flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) to exhibit low standby leak-down rates, comparable to Li-ion batteries. Comparing the current state of the art for FESS to chemical energy storage generally leads to the conclusion that FESS offers major advantages for high power and high cycle life applications and for load-leveling power demand transients to shield electrical grids from high power demand spikes. BT-CEMs previous efforts studying low loss bearings for flywheels concluded that an HTSMB can provide the lowest system level losses but will require a reliable damping solution. Our teams proprietary controlled damping approach, which achieves full rotordynamic stability with very low (strategically placed) forces and very low losses, only incurs losses when damping is required. ONRs Combat Hybrid Power System (CHPS) is a primary example of leading edge technology for shipboard MW-class flywheel load-leveling systems. The CHPS machine will serve as the focus application for our teams HTSMB-CD development efforts. Our team proposes to fully develop this design for a CHPS type application as the result of this Phase I effort.