A Feasibility Study of an 8 MWh Flywheel Type Power Storage System using Oxide Superconductors

When combined with a magnet having a magnetic field gradient (for example, a permanent magnet), a Y-based oxide superconductor is capable of forming a noncontact bearing with a strong levitational force. Since this bearing exhibits low rotational loss, it is very likely to form a highly efficient power storage system in combination with a flywheel. In this paper, an 8-MWh power storage system utilizing a flywheel was designed conceptually to examine its applicability and the possible effects of its introduction. It was found that this system was an effective power storage.