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Vision and Goals The company's vision is aimed at achieving a fully renewable energy system. Efforts focus on innovating sustainably in both device operation and material sourcing. Kinetic Energy Storage Solution The company aims to solve power management challenges, particularly in two areas: Sustainable mobility. Distributed energy. Focus for the discussion is primarily on: Electric vehicle (EV) fast and ultrafast charging in sustainable mobility. Battery lifetime and grid support in distributed energy. Key Advantages of Kinetic Energy Storage Modular Scalability: System is designed to be modular, allowing for effective scaling up to megawatt and megawatt-hours. Power Effectiveness: Higher power output per megawatt per square meter than other technologies, resulting in a smaller footprint. Cost Efficiency: Flywheel technology does not degrade with usage, leading to low total cost of ownership. Sustainability Program: Focus on improving raw materials, primarily using carbon fiber, steel, and magnets under the guidance of Dr. Mary Lundahl. Current Products PowerLoop 250: Available, with a power rating of 250 kilowatts. Efficiency: 95% Response time: Very short. Cycle capability: Potentially unlimited cycles without degradation. PowerLoop 1,000: Set to release in 2023. History of Development Founded in 2014 with a feasibility study conducted in 2015-2016. Collaboration with Yaskawa and Business Finland to develop industrial prototype. Productization of PowerLoop 250 from 2019 to early 2021, financed by the European Union. Technical Details of Kinetic Energy Storage Kinetic Energy Equation: $$Ek = \frac{1}{2} m v^2$$ where Ek is kinetic energy, m is mass, and v is velocity. The prototype has an initial diameter of 3 meters, though current products are comparatively smaller. Configuration of the Device Rotor Design: Contains a ring-shaped rotor instead of a full rotor, enhancing stored energy capacity per unit mass. As the number of rings decreases, energy storage capability increases but is limited by the tensile strength of carbon fiber. Levitation: Used button magnets initially for levitation, now employs a different system yielding 9 kN/m² lift force. Stabilization System: Utilizes tailored active magnetic bearings designed to handle the unique requirements of the device. Motor-Generator Setup: Features a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) for high efficiency, despite some limitations due to copper losses. Vacuum Environment: The entire system is housed in a vacuum to reduce drag, presenting challenges for heat dissipation. Future Technology Directions Exploration of synchronous reluctance motors to minimize long-term losses. Research collaboration with Tampere University on: Superconducting motors and bearings for optimal efficiency and minimal energy losses. Applications of Kinetic Energy Storage Electric Vehicle Charging Addresses the challenge of insufficient local grid capacity for high-power discharge during charging events. Options include either upgrading local distributions grids or implementing local energy storage to manage power. Flywheels can be installed stand-alone or in combination with batteries. Grid Support with Renewables The increasing incorporation of renewable energy introduces variability into the grid, necessitating energy storage solutions. Energy storage can be strategically placed: At production sites. At pressure points in the grid. Co-located at customer sites. Usage in frequency control either as a stand-alone solution or in conjunction with other technologies. Case Study: Battery and Flywheel Co-location Investigated the interaction between flywheels and lithium battery arrays for enhanced heat management. Findings: Co-locating 10% of the power from the battery array with a flywheel can extend battery life by over 20% by mitigating heat caused by microcycles. Example project: A 2.4 MWh battery system co-located with solar in a commercial setting in Southeast Asia. Detailed analysis of one day’s charge-discharge events showed flywheel integration could manage over 90% of microcycles, reducing battery heating and aging due to throughput control. Open Questions for Discussion What applications could benefit from kinetic energy storage, either standalone or in combination with other technologies? Are there specific instances where a hybrid of battery and flywheel storage would be preferred? Audience Interaction and Questions Energy Storage Duration Current flywheel systems are not designed for long-term energy storage and can fully discharge within a day. Efficiency noted at above 97% for instant charging with losses present during idle states. Applications pivot toward frequent charge-discharge events, such as frequency control or capturing train inertial energy for smooth operation. Microcycles Definition Defined as short duration power fluctuations impacting battery heating and overall stability of the system. Application to Electric Vehicles Current PowerLoop devices could charge EVs at rates compatible with typical charging events, though efficiency can be optimized through battery integration. Constraints of local grid capacity dictate the strategy for charging infrastructure deployment across regions. Performance of Devices Current operating model suggests above-average efficiency but requires continuous utilization to minimize idleness and associated losses. The size and efficiency trade-offs continue to influence design decisions moving forward. Sustainability and End-of-Life Considerations Recyclability: Carbon fiber and steel are recyclable, though processes impact performance and material integrity. Research into soft magnetic composites is ongoing to enhance sustainability and performance without compromising the efficacy of the flywheel systems. The challenge remains in balancing recycling, cost efficiency, and the demands of sustainable production. Closing Statements Discussion around sustainability and advancements in technology to enhance energy storage capabilities. Break before continuing to the next topic.

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