🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <Bz6nuM.LCo@acsu.buffalo.edu> v064mb9k@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (NEIL GANDLER) writes:
>
> I just have finished reading the latest Popular Science issue. Jan 93.
>On p. 27 they discuss flywheel power as a possible energy source for 
>future Ev's. Claimed advantges are a cruising rnage of over 600 miles
>on an overnight charge on GM's Impact. With a battery weight of only
>600 pounds and a life of 25,000 miles and with no chemical waste when
>disposed this new power source could revolutionise the
>EV industry. Why is this technology not being looked into more. What
>are the dissadvantages. What is this technology exactly. How is
>mechanical energy stored in such great amounts. Also the IEEE spectrum
>also touched slightly on this topic I believe in their assesment on
>EV development. 
>
>		Neil Gandler


I read a similar article in IEEE Spectrum recently.  The flywheel can
store a lot of energy because of the omega^2.  The idea is to spin the
flywheel very fast.

A major disadvantage that I see with the flywheel scheme is the amount
of time it would take to "charge" it up from zero energy.  If the
flyweel can provide a large amount of output power for a long time,
then it should take at least the same time to charge it back.  A
scheme where flywheel systems are interchanged at "fuel" stops could
alleviate this issue.

-- 
Andrew Karanicolas
MIT Microsystems Technology Laboratory
ankleand@mtl.mit.edu