High-speed Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) for Voltage and Frequency Support in Low Voltage Distribution Networks

The new-generation Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS), which uses High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) for magnetic levitation and stabilization, is a novel energy storage technology. Due to its quick response time, high power density, low losses, and large number of charging/discharging cycles, the high-speed FESS is especially suitable for enhancing power quality and transient stability in power systems. Real-time simulation of power systems and its components enables Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) testing of new power system components, which is a cost-effective method to analyze the behavior of the component under different scenarios, prior to the grid connection. Having accurate real-time simulation models of the components is an essential step, prior to the PHIL testing. In this paper, the modeling and implementation of a FESS with HTS bearings in a real-time simulation environment is presented. The obtained real-time simulation results confirm the effectiveness of using such a FESS for improving power quality, e.g. voltage sag compensation in distribution networks and contributing to grid frequency regulation during frequency deviations.