Flywheel Energy Storage – Mk6 FESS
- for motor sport applications
In April 2014 GKN Land Systems Division acquired GKN Hybrid Power,
developer of electric flywheel energy storage technology. This novel
technology cut its teeth in top-flight endurance racing, helping to power
Audi’s R18 e-tron quattro to four successive Le Mans 24 hour race podiums.
Beyond motorsport, are many promising applications in low carbon
vehicles such as transit buses, HGVs, trams & trains. GKNHP’s London bus
trial has demonstrated up to 25% fuel savings.
DESIGN
GKN’s Mk6 FESS is an electrically driven flywheel energy storage system. The
motor is a three-phase permanent magnet motor. The magnets are provided by
GKN Hybrid Power’s MLC (Magnetically Loaded Composite) material which has the
advantage of being both very low on eddy current losses and safe as there are no
discrete magnets rotating at the very high rotor speeds of the flywheel to contain
in the event of a failure.
MK6 Flywheel and inverter
The Mk6 FESS has integrated power electronics so that no additional inverter is
required – the flywheel connects directly to the DC bus. Due to the high speed
of the rotor a vacuum is required to reduce friction losses and this is provided
by a flywheel mounted vacuum system. Water is supplied as an efficient cooling
medium for the inverter, bearings and stator laminations, but an onboard oil
system provides direct cooling to the stator coils to increase power density. This oil
system heat exchanges internally with the water.
The Mk6 FESS also benefits from internal contactors on the DC bus to disconnect from
the rest of the hybrid system and real time insulation monitoring of the HV circuit.
Key Features
SPECIFICATIONS
Maximum Speed
42000rpm
Useable Stored Energy
600kJ
Peak Power
170kW
50kW
Efficient electrically driven storage
Safe and efficient rotor system
Continuous Duty Cycle
with 60°C Water Inlet
Temperature
Fully integrated system
DC Bus Supply
600V
Dimensions
L 392, W 378, H
339 mm
Mass
38.3kg
High power and duty cycle density
No performance degradation @ high duty
No performance degradation over life
For further information please visit us at
www.gknhybridpower.com or e-mail us at
marketing.landsystems@gkn.com