Mechanical storage systems work on the basis of storing available and off-peak excessive electricity in the form of mechanical energy. Once the demand for electricity power overcome the available energy supply, the stored energy would be release to meet with the energy demand.
Mechanical energy storage systems such as PHS, CAES and GES can be used to compensate for unexpected contingencies for example the failure of a generating unit. In this application premium is placed on mechanical energy storage being able to charge or discharge within a very short interval of time (in milliseconds of time).
Mechanical energy storage systems include gravitational energy storage or pumped hydropower storage (PHPS), compressed air energy storage (CAES) and flywheels. The PHPS and CAES technologies can be used for large-scale utility energy storage while flywheels are more suitable for intermediate storage.
Mechanical energy storage system especially FES can be deployed for the provision of short-duration power quality by supplying active power for very short duration in the range of 1–10 seconds. 7. Managing the high cost of mechanical energy storage systems
Once the demand for electricity power overcome the available energy supply, the stored energy would be release to meet with the energy demand. Mechanical energy storage can be classified into three major types: Compressed air storage, Flywheel Storage and Pumped Storage.
Mechanical energy storage systems are very efficient in overcoming the intermittent aspect of renewable sources. Flywheel, pumped hydro and compressed air are investigated as mechanical energy storage. Parameters that affect the coupling of mechanical storage systems with solar and wind energies are studied.