Flywheel Test at the Energy Technology Center

ACEP’s Dave Light is installing an inverter, manufactured by ABB, at the Energy Technology Facility. The inverter is used to integrate various DC energy storage devices into a grid system that is designed to deliver AC power to its customers. Because ACEP operates a lab that is capable of testing a variety of components, DC and AC, for applicability in microgrids, a flexible inverter is a paramount requirement. This inverter will be used to integrate various energy storage systems at different DC voltages and using various control strategies/modes. The first use of the inverter will be to test the Hatch flywheel beginning near the end of September. Once the flywheel testing is complete, the inverter will be used to develop a battery control system. Renewable energy, such as wind and solar, are intermittent sources of generation.  Energy storage, such as batteries and flywheels, is one strategy for capturing that energy when it is available in order to enable “diesel-off” operation; and the inverter is key to developing and testing components of a diesel electric-hybrid system.

Photo: Inverter manufactured by ABB at the Energy Technology Facility. Photo courtesy of M. Frey. ACEP/UAF.