The Opportunity of Energy Storage in

Magnetic Field by Combining Flywheel

and Ultracapacitor Tools

Andras Bela Olah

Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition 2014, 28-30 July 2014, Cleveland,

Ohio, USA

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• Energy storage and conversion is a great problem.

• There exist quite promising electric energy storage tools, but even today the best

(portable) electric energy supply is a portable Diesel-generator.

• This situation did not changed in the last 100 years.

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• The SMES cold be an ideal solution.

• The only problem is the cooling (with liquid nitrogen)

• The critical magnetic field is also a potential risk.

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• Back to the roots: Rowland’s experiment (1876)

• The existence of convective current.

• The movement of charged bodies create magnetic field.

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• The theoretical concept: let us remake Rowland’s experiment with greater charge

and greater angular velocity.

• Greater charge can be achieved by using ultracapacitor plates.

• Greater angular velocity can be achieved by using flywheel technology.

• Assuming the capacitance and the voltage of an existing ultracapacitor and the rev

of an existing flywheel the numbers are the following.

• Q=C*U; Q=3000*2=6000 Coulombs

• I=dQ/dt; I=6000/(1/1500)=9000000 Ampers = 9 MegaAmpers.

• rotB=μ0*I; B=(μ0/2πr)*I≈18 Teslas

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• In the volume of an ordinary flywheel tool (in the order of 1 cubic meter) there can

be put 30 or 40 such ultracapacitor equivalent.

• The energy of such a device can be described as the magnetic energy of a

solenoid: E=1L*I2/2

• The inductance is L=μ0*μr*f/l.

• The coefficients can be considered as units, the current can be considered: I=

30(40)*9 MA≈300MA

• Thus, the energy is: E=4π*10-7*(3*108)2=1011 J= 100 GJ

• Considering the size (1 cubic meter, a few hundred kilogramms), the energy

density is about 200 MJ/kg, while the energy density of gasoline 46 MJ/kg and that

of a lithium battery is 1.8 MJ/kg.

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• The scheme of the device: two rotors (oppositely rolling) are in the insulated outer

case, which is very similar to an ordinary flywheel.

• The rotors contain the oppositely charged ultracapacitor armatures which are

carbon fiber strengthened cell structures.

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• Problems: energy loss through bearings.

• Usage of magnetic bearings is almost inevitable, which means a minimal

permanent energy loss.

• Theoreical energy loss: „Accelerating charge radiates”. This tools radiates

continously at the frequency of the flywheel rev. This is relatively low. The charge is

very great, thus the intensity must be also very great. Characterization is necessary

• Here must be mentioned that the existing electric energy network also radiates at

50 Hz.

• Possibilities: Energy storage. Huge permanent magnets instead of present day

superconductive magnets. Magnetic levitation. Realisation of Magnetic

Confinement Fusion. Magnetic solar sailing.”Mining.”

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The Opportunity of Energy Storage in Magnetic Field by

Combining Flywheel and Ultracapacitor Tools

• ”Mining.” : Anticipation: if the inner van Allen belt contains protons from solar wind

and the Moon contains 3He from solar wind, then there must be a van Allen zone,

which is relatively rich in 3He. From solar wind.This zone is much closer than Moon.

• A satellite with such magnet can simply collect it, as the Earth itself does it.

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