2 MW 130 kWh Flywheel Energy Storage System

The Center for Electromechanics has developed and is currently testing a 2 MW, 130 kWh (480 MJ) flywheel energy storage system (FESS) designed as a load leveling energy management device. The flywheel energy storage system consists of the energy storage flywheel, a high speed induction motor/generator, and a bidirectional power converter. The FESS is a key element of the Advanced Locomotive Propulsion System (ALPS), an advanced high speed passenger locomotive power supply being developed for use on existing (nonelectrified) track to provide speed and acceleration performance comparable to modern electric trains currently in service on electrified routes. This paper describes the electrical and physical characteristics of the FESS, the application requirements that shaped the design of the FESS, and the internal details of the major components: the flywheel, motor / generator, and power converter. Safety of the flywheel is addressed in terms of the designed probability against a ring burst and the ability of the internal containment structure to controllably manage an unlikely burst event. Finally, the current status of the flywheel component development, testing, and planned future demonstrations are described. Figure 1. FESS Main components ALPS Flywheel System Overview The ALPS flywheel energy storage system (FESS) serves as an electrical load leveling device for a hybrid electric locomotive propulsion system. The FESS reduces load fluctuations of the prime generator by providing supplemental power to the dc bus during periods of peak acceleration, and recharging during periods of deceleration or excess generation capacity. The nominal continuous duty cycle of the FESS is 3 minutes charging, 3 minutes discharging at a 2 MW power level, equating to a deliverable energy rating of 360 MJ (100 kWh). The response bandwidth of the FESS to power demand changes or dc bus power quality disturbances is adjusted to 5 Hz (200 ms) for this application. Electrical ratings of the FESS are summarized in Table 1. Mobile Flywheel Electrical Ratings Power Continuous 2 MW Intermittent 3 MW Current 0-2200 ADC Voltage 0-2000 VDC Energy Total Stored 130 kWh Deliverable 100 kWh Response Bandwith 0.003 to 5 Hz The main components of the FESS are the energy storage flywheel, the motor generator which charges and discharges the flywheel by converting electrical power to mechanical power, and the bi-directional electrical power converter which adapts the three phase ac power of the motor generator to the dc electrical distribution bus of the locomotive. An energy management algorithm, controls, and auxiliary equipment complete the integration of the components into a functioning energy storage system. A block diagram of the ALPS FESS can be seen in Figure 1. The individual components are described in detail in their respective sections of this paper. Table 1. FESS electrical ratings Application-Specific Design Requirements The ALPS FESS is tailored to meet the unique requirements of its hybrid electric locomotive propulsion system application in the areas of electrical performance, system duty cycle, safety and reliability, packaging, and environmental exposure in the mobile installation. In a conventional diesel electric power system topology, a diesel engine prime power source drives an electric generator to charge the dc bus. Electric power is distributed to individual traction motors through bi-directional 1 [email protected] motor drives. During deceleration, traction motors regenerate electric energy and dissipate the power in a dynamic braking resistor grid. The ALPS system replaces the diesel electric generator set with a lightweight, compact, high-power turbine driven alternator package. The ALPS FESS then allows the conservative recovery of braking energy for later reuse, and provides load leveling for the minimized prime power turbine. Employed in this manner, the FESS allows the turbine to operate at near-constant power while the transient power demands of acceleration or grade changes are supplied by the flywheel. The power flow diagram of the ALPS components (shown in yellow) integrated into a locomotive power system can be seen in Figure 2. The ALPS system is designed for direct integration into an existing Bombardier locomotive with an Alstom 1960 V dc electrical system. This requirement determined the dc interface voltage of the FESS electrical power converter, and set a theoretical upper design limit for the three-phase ac voltage of the motor generator at 1200 Vrms line-toline [1]. The prime power generator of the ALPS is sized at 3 MW to match t capability of commercially available power turbines such as the Honeywell TF40 or Pratt & Whitney ST40 he Figure 2. ALPS power system block diagram engines [2]. Given the 5 MW maximum traction load capacity of the exiting drive motors, the ALPS FESS power rating was sized at 2 MW continuous to fully supplement the prime power, providing maximum propulsion utilization. Detailed timemarching train route simulations were performed to ascertain the expected RMS charge / discharge duty, implying the necessary stored energy of the ALPS FESS, and resulting in the 130 kWh rating [3]. Table 2. FESS physical characteristics Physically and mechanically, the FESS has been designed to meet the rigorous requirements of the mobile application. The ALPS FESS physical characteristics can be seen in Table 2. As installed volume and system weight are significant parameters for the FESS on board a locomotive, a high system energy density was targeted. With a total system mass of approximately 13000 kg and volume of 16 m, including auxiliary equipment, the ALPS FESS achieves densities of 7.7 Wh/kg and 6.3 kWh/m, based on the 100 kWh delivered energy rating. The packaging and form factor of the FESS components are designed to be conveniently integrated into the available space on board the chassis of the flywheel tender car. The power converter and system auxiliaries are distributed throughout the tender car to suit personnel access and proximity to cooling air exchange, as shown in Figure 3. The flywheel is oriented vertically to isolate the structure from gyroscopic loads associated with track curvature and to make use of the tall, narrow space of the railcar. The flywheel is mounted in a two-axis gimbal accommodating up to 20° of relative motion in the roll and pitch axes, further isolating the structure from gyroscopic reaction forces, as depicted in Figure 4. ALPS FESS Physical Data Mass Flywheel 11000 kg Total System 13000 kg Volume Flywheel 4.2 m^3 Total System 16 m^3 Footprint Flywheel 2.6 m^2 Total System 12 m^2 Figure 3. FESS integration into locomotive tender car The passenger locomotive application also demands high safety and reliability of the large energy store. To meet these requirements, a defense-in-depth process was implemented including all phases of FESS development including rotor design, material and component fabrication quality assurance, and a two stage burst containment system [4]. This safety suite results in a very low risk of flywheel rotor ring burst (0.99999 confidence against rotor burst), bolstered by a containment system that has been analytically simulated to contain a burst event, with anchoring to experimental burst tests of subscale rotors. Critical FESS control and safety systems are redundant and powered by uninterruptible power supplies to ensure a safe discharge and shut down of the flywheel if a system fault is detected. Extreme environmental exposure was also incorporated into the design requirements of this mobile FESS. The locomotive environment i a harsh shock rating of 3g’s continuous vibration which all components are designed. Additionally conditions of sea level to 8,000 ft elevation and 50°C maximum temperature were taken into accou for sizing of cooling systems. These requirements result in a lightweight, compact FESS design suitable for installation into a high speed locomo for passenger rail operation. mposes to ,