The use of flywheels to capture and store rotational kinetic energy has been used in a range of systems for the past two hundred years or so. This document explores some of the modern applications of these devices and their implications for future use. An example of the calculation of the rotational kinetic energy is given and the parameters associated with this calculation are discussed.
17. A typical flywheel problem; A flywheel of mass 100kg and diameter 1.2m is accelerated from rest to a speed of 450 revs/min in 8 seconds. Determine the torque required to achieve this motion and the kinetic energy of the flywheel when up to operating speed. TRY IT !