AVK/SEG extend line of flywheel storage sets

AVK/SEG (Kempen, Germany)—designers and manufacturers of diesel incorporated UPS Systems—recently extended its CONCYCLE flywheel storage sets to 2 MW and 12 seconds.

Described as the CONCYCLE VR, the main application is a ride-through-device for use with standard diesel emergency generating sets. Besides the ride-through feature, which bridges the start-up time of the emergency generating set, the flywheel set may be extended to provide all the features of mains quality improvement that one expects to see in a UPS system.

The CONCYCLE technology—not unique to UPS systems—provides an exceedingly attractive solution for the generation of power in large wind turbine generators and ships' propeller shaft generators, where its speed, independent regulation of frequency and voltage make it the ideal choice for these applications, said Ken Bishop, company representative.

Currently, he said, AVK/SEG builds about three sets of CONCYCLE systems per day each rated at 1.5 MW.

AVK/SEG believes that RTDs (ride-through devices), such as flywheel sets, designed to support standard emergency generating plant, will replace diesel integrated rotary UPS solutions, Bishop said. An advantage of this configuration is that when adjustment or maintenance work takes place on the flywheel set the consumer load can be protected by starting the diesel and running the emergency generating plant in synchronism with the mains for the duration.

Meanwhile, he said, if the mains fail, the consumer is protected by the diesel with no interruption in power. This is achievable because there is only a circuit breaker connection between the consumer, the generating set and flywheel set compared with a single-drive-line rotary UPS in which the flywheel energy is mechanically coupled.

In this version, Bishop said, all those features normally associated with a UPS are available. (Note: The emergency generating plant is not shown).

For more information, contact Bishop at k.bishop@avkseg.com, or fax (49) 2152145324/255.

Edited by April C. Murelio, Managing Editor, Power Online