Kodiak’s Advanced Microgrid System Includes Flywheel Energy Storage

ACEP Director Gwen Holdmann visited Kodiak last week and toured the new flywheel energy storage devices at Kodiak Electric Association.

Kodiak produces 98 percent of its energy from renewable sources, including 42 megawatts generated by hydro and wind. Its microgrid consists of two 1-MW PowerStore flywheel energy storage units and two 1.5-MW battery storage units. To manage the microgrid effectively, ABB has provided an MGC600 decentralized microgrid control system, which consists of control modules distributed across the microgrid.

When Kodiak replaced its diesel-powered dock crane with an electric crane, the installation of the flywheel provided an instantaneous energy buffer for large power fluctuations when the crane was in use.

ACEP is hoping to collaborate with KEA on future research opportunities and workforce development.

Gwen Holdmann stands on Pillar Mountain with some of KEA’s wind turbines in the background. Photo courtesy of Gwen Holdmann.