Mechanical Battery with 32kWh Storage and 8kW Power
This customer’s primary objective was to address the frequent blackouts in the area, power their three-phase loads, withstand the high temperatures characteristic of Perth, and ensure zero fire risk. By installing a fire fighting water system, that would run from solar and the energy storage and not a traditional generator, lack of road access and fuel should not be an issue during bushfires.
| Flywheel | 32kWh Storage and 8kW Power |
| Install schedule | 2 days |
Key Energy has installed a 8 kW / 32 kWh three-phase flywheel mechanical energy storage system at a property in Sawyers Valley, just east of the Western Australian capital, Perth.
The installation involved a single flywheel, which stores energy mechanically meaning it has no fire risks, can run around 11,000 cycles without capacity degradation and boasts a 20 to 30 year lifespan. While these systems have low energy density, they are substantially more durable than lithium-ion based chemical batteries.
This was a major drawcard for the owner of the Sawyers Valley property, who wanted a system that did not pose a fire risk, could power their three-phase loads and provide energy security as blackouts frequently affect the area.
The project marks Key Energy’s fourth installation, with another two expected to be commissioned this year. In total, the company has installed around 16 flywheel systems with over 300 kWh of capacity, including at a boarding school and at gas infrastructure pipeline company APA Group’s commercial off-grid protection stations.
Key Energy says it aims to leverage this residential flywheel installation, as well as future projects, to qualify its technology for WA’s Stand Alone Power System (SAPS) program, run by state-owned utilities Western Power and Horizon Power. The program is part of the state’s broad strategy to replace its stringy regional network of poles and wires with renewable standalone alternatives, which usually include a solar array, battery and last-resort diesel generator. These systems have been found by the state to be far cheaper and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Above ground innovation
Flywheel battery systems are usually installed underground – a lengthy and costly process. Key Energy previously worked with the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) to develop an above-ground enclosure for its storage systems. Key Energy says this has allowed it to shorten install times from one to two weeks with underground systems to just two days in the Sawyers Valley project
Key Energy says it is also developing additional functionality for the system, paving the way for Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) which it believes could capitalise on the flywheel system’s robust cycling characteristics and long lifespan.
Key energy, founded in 2018, is based in the Sydney suburb of Chippendale and has a test site in nearby Alexandria. Since launching, it has attracted funding from the NSW government, City of Sydney, EnergyLab and the Department of Science, Energy and Resources through the Accelerating Commercialisation grant.
Key Energy’s flywheels are sourced from US-headquartered company Amber Kinetics, though the rest of the system is manufactured in Australia in accordance with Australian Standards.
