Firming and Synchronous Generation

The following paper discusses the use of flywheels to support firming of renewable energy for
synchronous generation.

Table of Contents
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................2
Infrastructure Challenges......................................................................................................2
Storage and Dispatchable Generation...................................................................................3
Storage Options ................................................................................................................3
Flywheels and Dispatchable Generation ..............................................................................4
Synchronous Generation ......................................................................................................5
Renewable Energy Asynchronous Generation .................................................................5
Virtual synchronous generation ........................................................................................5
VSG Economics ...................................................................................................................6
Microgrid and Synchronous Generation...............................................................................7
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................7

Abstract
Ideally, renewable energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic would connect directly to the grid,
negating the requirement for synchronous capacitors or generators to maintain grid stability. These
large amounts of spinning reserve counter the inherent intermittency of renewables and are generally
provided by gas and or diesel peaking plants. The irony is this is counter intuitive to removing carbon
from the energy mix.
Being able to capture renewable energy and then dispatch, when required, is being pursued by the
market; DG247 being one with flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) technology. Storage is the
cornerstone for renewable energy to be viable for continuous and secure power supply.
Using the inherent qualities of flywheels, we have FESS as a spinning reserve. FESS co-located with
renewable energy generators (solar and or wind farm), firms asynchronous generated energy in a
flywheel, then dispatches as synchronous generated power into the (micro)grid.
There is further discussion to how distributed energy resources, being able to supply synchronous
power from renewables, will allow the Regulator to have frequency stability using FESS to enhance
system performance.

Keywords: Synchronous Generation, Frequency Control; Flywheel Energy Storage Systems;

Renewable Energy Generation, Distributed Energy Resource, Microgrids, Firming
.

Firming and Synchronous Generation page 1 of 8

 through coal fired power stations and
Introduction distributed to point of use. The current
The contradiction of renewable energy is in its regulatory framework supports this traditional
abundancy, cost effectiveness and an electricity supply chain model, where
ineffective base load power. electricity is produced by large generators,
transported through transmission and
The challenge in transitioning from “old to
distribution systems for electricity use.4
new energy generation” is for the regulator
and market to provide secure, reliable and Renewable energy harmonics from
efficient power from the benefits of renewable asynchronous generation is more often
energy while meeting the challenges of constrained to maintain stability, creating
diminishing base load and intermittent further demands on the current infrastructure.
generation. This will be further confounded with emerging
local generation from distributed energy
The recent AMEC report states a “fundamental
networks (DER) and the advent of the “smart
step change in power system technologies is
grid”.
occurring against a backdrop of uncertainty
over nationally consistent, long-term policy Synchronous firming will be required with the
settings on emissions reductions and the variability of energy output from intermittent
mechanisms that will be used to achieve those renewables such as wind and solar, to ramp up
reductions”1. or down depending on the availability of
renewable energy sources (RES). This is
This is compounded by poor regulatory
highlighted in in Germany with the
planning to provide a meaningful transition
‘Atomstop’ policy where it has forced low-
method, resulting in subsequent rises in energy
carbon nuclear plants to gradually shut down
costs and ongoing network challenges. South
over the next five years, most of this back-up
Australia, with its excellent solar and wind
generation comes from coal and gas plants5.
resources, provided a favourable development
planning regime for massive investment in With the issues RES is causing in the early
renewable energy without a transition stages of Germany’s renewable revolution, the
mechanism in place, resulting in higher question remains: how would Germany
wholesale energy costs with gas dominated provide security of supply if it was to complete
energy mix to support the grid2. the transition to a system run on 100%
intermittent renewables by 2050?
The challenges for grid stability were
demonstrated by AEMO, as at September To this end, Professor Freidrich Wagner of
2018, issuing over 140 directions to South Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Plasma
Australian generators in order to maintain Physics, found that Germany would need to
enough system strength3. install a massively oversized power supply
system to achieve 2050 power security, with
Infrastructure Challenges 330GW of wind and solar photovoltaic
Power supply stability for the grid is the end capacity needed to meet a 100% target, and
game, being simply synchronous generation. enough back-up capacity to cover an extra
Currently, this is predominately provided 89% over and above peak load6. This would
cause a host of problems related to

1 4
https://www.aemc.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018- Emerging Generation and Energy Storage in the NEM, AEMO
04/Directions%20Paper.PDF Stakeholder Paper November 2018
2 5
Matthew Warren 18th May, 2018, Australian Energy Council https://www.power-
3 technology.com/features/featureovercapacity-and-the-
ElectraNet, Addressing the System Strength Gap in SA,
Economic Evaluation Report, 18 February 2019 challenges-of-going-100-renewable-5872868/
6
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140%2Fepjp%2Fi2016-
16445-3

Firming and Synchronous Generation page 2 of 8

overcapacity, energy spot prices and carbon- It is evident DG will be the next significant
intensive back-up power, not to mention the industry within the renewable energy
landscape impact of solar and wind turbine generation and distribution market as
installations on this scale and the resistance communities demand replacement of carbon-
this might cause. based generation. While in its infancy, the
scale required to replace existing carbon-based
Applying Germany’s challenges to Australia
generation is momentous.
will require a careful balance between these
two extremes, at least initially. Few would In response to DG shortfalls, innovative
argue that completely clean, fully renewable market forces have created partnerships for
energy systems represent the future, but firming of renewable generation with gas and
managing between environmental efficiency, diesel peaking plants. Examples being ERM
energy security and harmonious electricity derivative base products for solar and AGL's
markets is a complex task that will take many Wind Product Firming Unit (WPFU) with their
decades to solve. It is further noted; AEMO thermal generation portfolio to expand past the
has also become aware that its systems and standard PPA and work in with the wholesale
processes were not designed for ESS (Energy energy market. This snapshot of how
Storage Systems) or the types of new grid- participants in the National Electricity Market
scale business models that are being proposed (NEM) are innovating to extract more value
now or may be proposed in the future. 7 from their existing assets while delivering
value to the growing pool of new entrants in
It is suggested the grid will morph from the
the market8.
current central generation, mono-directional
network to a decentralised energy resource Prior to the uptake of intermittent generation,
with bi-directional transmission systems using DG supply was met by hydroelectricity to
microgrids, smart grid management and meet the peaks, usually morning and evening.
supporting renewables with dispatchable As in the German example, and now in
generation to meet industry, market and Australia, DG for intermittent generation is
regulatory expectations and requirements. being met by carbon-based generation;

Figure 1. Dispatchable Generation by technology. Source Australian Trade and Investment Commission June 2017

commonly referred to “peakers”, they fire up

Storage and Dispatchable to meet peak demand, grid stability and
Generation continuous supply. In Australia these are gas
As previously stated, the obvious answer is and diesel-based generators, being called by
capturing renewable energy from wind and sun the regulator to secure supply.
(storage) to use as dispatchable generation Storage Options
(DG) for 24/7 power supply.
Using the listed storage technologies (Figure
1) from “Microgrids, Smart Grids and Energy

7 8
Emerging Generation and Energy Storage in the NEM, AEMO https://www.energycouncil.com.au/analysis/firming-
Stakeholder Paper November 2018 renewables-the-market-delivers/

Firming and Synchronous Generation page 3 of 8

Storage Solutions” paper9, we will stay with DG247 is current developing a range of steel
Flywheel (mechanical) and Battery alloy flywheels for DG applications. This
(electrochemical) technology for DG. paper will expand on FESS for DG to support
RES to meet energy generation obligations for
Electrochemical storage technology, being
secure and stable power distribution.
inverter based asynchronous generators, while
being dispatchable, has limitations in cycling
to meet operator requirements for firming. Flywheels and Dispatchable
Currently large-scale batteries such as Generation
Hornsdale in South Australia are primarily Flywheels for energy management provide
used for Fast Frequency Response (FFR); fast unlimited cycling, rapid response (>second)
dispatch of power in response to a frequency and minimal maintenance (every 10 years),
disturbance outside of normal range and for and indefinite life when maintained. Operating
premium Contingency FCAS service on the in a vacuum, between magnetic bearings they
NEM10. are efficient; round trip efficiency of 88-92%,
100% depth of discharge and require no
As with Hornsdale, Lithium-ion, through climate management to operate. There are no
advocates, such as Elon Musk, has become the environmental challenges in placement,
technology choice for grid, household, and operations, and end of life (recycled).
emerging electric vehicles; yet regardless of
application, there are considerable By changing the motor generator, the
environmental challenges in mining, application varies from hours to minutes. The
processing and end of life management of the same rotor design can provide energy storage
components. options for 4-hours of storage; 20kW/80kWh
or for energy balancing; 400kW/80kWh for
Mechanical storage technology such as 10minutes.
pumped hydro, compressed air storage and
flywheels are widely used. Flywheels have a FESS can be individual units or as an array.
greater capacity to be co-located with the RES. An example of a standalone application is a
While flywheels were an essential part of the telecommunication tower, generally requiring
machine age; FESS technology is a recent a minimum of 4-hour battery backup. Using an
development. Highspeed FESS (>20,000rpm) E80 (20kW/80kWh) unit on site, requiring, say
are mainly used for power quality and 8kW per hour, E80 provides power up to
reliability, ride-through while supporting 10hours until connection is restored.
generation starts for longer term backup, area FESS arrays are identical to wind and solar
regulation, fast area regulation and frequency farm. Using a common DC bus, FESS can be
response. connected to the nominated power
FESS may also be valuable as a subsystem in management system, from kilowatts to
trains and hybrid vehicles that stop and start megawatts. While in an array, each unit is
frequently as a component of track-side or on- standalone, capable of being individually or
board regenerative braking systems. collectively charged or discharged; algorithm
matrices managing supply and or demand
Recently, FESS has moved from a composite profiles. Further, using P400
rotor structure to that of a steel alloy to (400kW/10mins/25ms) with unlimited cycling,
increase the mass, thereby extending storage FRR and Contingency FCAS are always
from seconds/minutes to hours.

9 10
Australian Trade and Investment Commission June 2017
https://www.aurecongroup.com/thinking/thinking-
papers/batteries-future-energy-storage

Firming and Synchronous Generation page 4 of 8

available with no impact to life or performance There is considerable work being done to
of the flywheel technology. integrate large-scale distributed generators,
such as photovoltaic into the microgrids, using
Understanding FESS have between 25-500
virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control
millisecond response time and do not degrade
concept where distributed generators based on
with cycling use, DG247 propose to use short
inverters can exhibit the characteristics of
and long duration FESS to provide
synchronous generators (SGs) such as the
synchronous generation, exclusive of an
inertial, damping, and droop functions and can
inverter, directly to the grid.
participate in the microgrid control and
stability.
Synchronous Generation
This however adds another layer of complexity
Two factors are chiefly responsible for
to the system, and thus cost. Implementing
stabilising frequency and voltages in
active frequency responsive demands
traditional electrical grids;
encounter challenges such as, a) reverse power
• The first is the very specific magnetic flow may result in network congestion, b) it is
and mechanical inertial behaviour of a hard to predict the exact magnitude of demand,
rotating synchronous machine, with mobility patterns being highly variable. c)
associated with a prime mover, used to resource needs to be carefully designed to
form the grid at a power plant. avoid any unexpected interaction with
• The second is the control mechanisms resources online, manifesting itself in terms of
that governs the rotational speed and generator hunting, energy recovery etc., d) the
regulates output voltage of those cost incorporated to enable bidirectional
“traditional” power generators. response can be high, and e) tear and wear of
Synchronous generators can balance (electrochemical) ESS of VSG stations due to
their active and reactive energy the bidirectional response11.
production automatically, even when
there is a sudden change in the Virtual synchronous generation
demand, using grid voltage and Using the accepted term VSG, DG247
frequency as a “free” communication proposes to deliver “virtual” rotational inertia
channel. This aptitude corresponds to and spinning reserves through firming (by a
the spinning reserve or primary flywheel) currently missing from renewable
reserve. and distributed sources of generation. This is
represented in Figure 2 (DG-VSG).
Renewable Energy Asynchronous
This is accomplished by combining the
Generation renewable generating source with flywheel
The nature of PV, wind, or storage inverters, energy storage, and an appropriate power
lack both the physical nature of the exchange system mechanism that precisely
synchronous machine and the associated models the synchronous machine, its
power reserve controls. associated prime mover, and controls. The
Power output fluctuates due to the variability current flowing stabilises frequency and
of the renewable source and cannot operate voltage, as are used with gen-sets, even during
without the support of a strong grid forming transients’ phases such as motor starts or short
unit. Grid instability: lack of frequency and circuits. And this works whether inverters are
voltage regulation, is the inevitable result of
intermittent (asynchronous) generation.

11 Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 2019, 106, 488-

H. Karbouj, Z. H. Rather, D. Flynn, and H. W. Qazi, “Non-
synchronous fast frequency reserves in renewable energy 501.
integrated power systems: A critical review,” International

Firming and Synchronous Generation page 5 of 8

involved, operating alone or in parallel with technology enables grids to surpass 30%
other asynchronous generators.12 renewable penetration levels. Further, it could
be argued 100% renewable networks are
charging when
over supply

Power Exchange System § synching to the grid as synchronous

spinning reserve
Renewable
DG247
Generation variable DC power drive 3 Phase AC Grid
Flywheels DC Motor
Source supply output shaft Generator Connection
(in an array)
(wind, solar)
§ fixed speed induction generator
§ power output is set to required
frequency for grid stability
when there is
constant supply

Figure 2 – DG-VSG synchronous generation from renewable generation flowchart

Further, with a supervisory control system for conceivable.

DER minigrid, with short and long-term FESS,
controllable loads can be made very VSG Economics
sophisticated, with multiple hierarchical
DG-VSG is a cost effective and efficient
control levels, employing modern information
synchronous generating plant. For all intent
and communication technology (IoT) for the
and purpose, we have taken a diesel or gas
management of DG-VSG13.
engine and replaced it with a flywheel to drive
Further it is proposed inertia emulation a DC motor coupled to a 3-phase AC
techniques support FESS powered DC generator.
generator response right after a load change
The DG-VSG balance of plant is largely
occurs, keeping frequency under more
unchanged. Additional work is required to
restricted limits, and therefore contributing to
manage the FESS area, however in discussion,
maintain or enhance power quality.
this process is straight forward and would be
The stability of DG-VSG allows grids to host a comparable to other load management
larger share of distributed intermittent sources applications for DER applications14.
of generation. As a result, more RES
Based on 2 full cycles per day, with no limit to
penetration becomes possible. With FESS
cycle frequency, 10-year maintenance cycle
capture and power firming capabilities, we
and 30-year life, the installed cost is less than
have decoupled the intermittency of the
$30-45/MWh; cost efficiencies would come
renewable sources from grid stability
with scale.
constraints.
There are minimal operating costs, being co-
Thus, DG-VSG makes it possible to remove
located with the solar and or wind farm. There
“peakers”, follow renewable production and
are no requirements for inverters as the output
load profiles, without any concerns to grid
from the generator is specified 3-phase AC
stability, control architecture, power quality, or
power, to the (micro) grid.
even protections. It can be suggested, if
coupled with additional energy storage or
intelligent load management, DG-VSG

12
https://www.engerati.com/article/what-virtual-synchronous- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia
generation-means-distributed-generation University, Montreal, Canada
13
Miguel Torres, Luiz A. C. Lopes http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/epe.2013.52A005
14
DG247 SAGE Automation April 2019, using Kalbarri
microgrid as a comparison model.

Firming and Synchronous Generation page 6 of 8

 Microgrid and Synchronous generation supporting local renewable
generation for distributed energy models.
Generation
Renewable based microgrids are attractive Conclusion
options in remote areas, however, with or The proposed DG-VSG using FESS (in an
without grid connection, microgrids often array) with its three distinct components; 1)
results in weak grids, being affected by power power exchange system which either pushes
constant power through to DC-motor/AC-
generator, 2) if less than required power level,
draws on the flywheel, and 3) if greater than
required, charges flywheel(s) for later use.
Power exchange system supports the power
system by preventing frequency fluctuations,
with synchronous generator’s rotational
inertial, using the flywheel to firm the power
supply to a DC motor/3-phase AC generator.
The power exchange system algorithm in DG-
Figure 3. Forecast maximum potential DER in Victoria, SA and NSW
2018/19 to 2027-28 Source ARENA VSG performs the function of a synchronous
generator by providing inertia and damping
variations, requiring gensets and energy support to the grid system.
storage systems to firm intermittent
Further, with flywheels unlimited cycling,
generation. DG-VSG for microgrids is viable
100% depth of discharge, fast response and
with high power interchange, unlimited
88% round trip efficiency; synchronous
cycling and long useful life.
generation can be effectively and efficiently
Further, state-of-charge is very simple to delivered through to grid-based applications,
estimate, as it consists of measuring the regardless of the level of asynchronous
spinning speed. generation in the system.
In FESSs, the flywheel DC output powers a The DG-VSG model is scalable, from
DC motor, coupled to and controlled to community to grid based applications. This
synchronize a three-phase AC generator as a will allow DER models to be deployed,
synchronous machine to overcome instability regardless of location, to provide secure
issues of the PLL-based control15 in weak- renewable power.
grids.
With increasing penetration level of
AEMO states the increase in DER uptake has distributed generation from renewable energy
the potential to play a key role in addressing sources, DG-VSG will deliver dynamic
emerging reliability gaps. Figure 3. response and power system stability to the grid
as “base load” power.
And goes on to state; for extracting the
maximum benefit from DER, particularly The flywheel synchronous generator will
battery storage, in providing a source of allow for intermittent (asynchronous)
supply to the grid at times of peak demand.16 generators to cost effectively meet regulatory
requirement for secure and stable generation
We believe this can be increased further with and supply.
the advent of DG-VSG synchronous

15
Phased Locked Loop (PLL) is used to implement grid system stability problem; Energies 2018, 11, 3077;
synchronization between the control loop and the grid system, doi:10.3390/en11113077
however, with a large amount of penetration of distributed 16
AEMO 2018 | 2018 Electricity Statement of Opportunities,
generation systems in the grid will inevitably give rise to the
p63

Firming and Synchronous Generation page 7 of 8

About DG247
DG247 is the project name for Dispatchable Generation 24/7, being developed by Russell Hanna, Carl
Daley (Australia) and Daniel Bakholdin, Nikolai Syssoev and David Stahl (USA).
Bringing together their collective intellectual property and skills in, flywheels, renewable energy,
manufacturing, and commercialisation, to develop long duration flywheel technology for storage of
renewable energy to dispatch as secure, firm and robust power.
Long duration flywheel development is leveraged from 80+ years of development experience in high-
speed composite and long duration flywheels across aerospace, military and industrial applications. In
addition to trade secrets, we have IP (Patent Pending US62669520) for long-term competitive
advantage. This extends to experience and expertise in manufacturing, production and configuration
compliance for design, specifications, and standards.
DG247 is an Australian company, based in Adelaide and is developing its flywheel energy storage
technology, being in two stages; Stage 1; Build, test and validate prototypes (E80, 20kW/80kWh) and
Stage 2; Identify, secure, and develop manufacturing and production for E80, P400 and continue
R&D, product development.

Contact information
Russell Hanna
M| +61-412-131-155
E| [email protected]

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