- ABB motors and drives enable S4 Energy’s flywheels at a Dutch power plant to store and release energy with maximum efficiency
- Innovative hybrid system combines a large battery storage system with flywheels to keep the grid frequency stable
S4 Energy, a Netherlands-based energy storage specialist, is using ABB regenerative drives and process performance motors to power its KINEXT energy-storage flywheels, developed to stabilize Europe’s electricity grids. In a 9-megawatt energy storage project, six flywheels have been installed in combination with a large battery to create an innovative hybrid storage system in Heerhugowaard, around 35 kilometers from Amsterdam. This system, in full operation since April 2022, can release and store energy with a fast response to keep the grid frequency within tightly controlled limits to ensure network stability.
In addition to stabilizing the grid, the storage system also offers active support to the local Luna wind energy park. Here it acts as a short-term damper to prevent imbalance in the output of the turbines and prevent curtailment of production. S4 Energy’s aim for this pilot project is to demonstrate that the net revenues of wind energy can be significantly improved by incorporating an energy storage system, in turn making wind energy projects less dependent on subsidies.
Each KINEXT unit contains a flywheel with a high mass (5,000 kg) and large diameter (around 2.6 meters), which spins relatively slowly with a peak speed of around 1,800 rpm. The ABB motor and drive takes excess electrical energy from the grid and uses it to speed up the rotation of the flywheel, so it is stored as kinetic energy. When a fast injection of power is needed to maintain frequency stability, the regenerative capability of the drive converts the flywheel’s kinetic energy back into electricity within milliseconds.
ABB regenerative drives and process performance motors power S4 Energy KINEXT energy-storage flywheels. 
In addition to stabilizing the grid, the storage sysm also offers active support to the Luna wind energy park.
“The Heerhugowaard facility is our latest energy storage system, but our first to actively support a wind park. We are now set to accelerate our business and expand our services, and ABB’s expertise in pairing flywheels with drives and motors has been critical in helping us to achieve this position,” said Dominque Becker Hoff, Director of Projects, S4 Energy.
“This project with S4 Energy is a great example of ABB’s commitment to helping decarbonize power utilities,” said Marcel Zevenbergen, Sales Manager, System Drives at ABB Motion Netherlands. “The combination of flywheels and batteries offers the best of both worlds with good potential to further increase the viability of renewable energy projects such as wind and solar. Moreover, flywheels are a great solution in many other electrification and industrial applications.”
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
ABB Motion keeps the world turning - while saving energy every day. We innovate and push the boundaries of technology to enable the low-carbon future for customers, industries and societies. With our digitally enabled drives, motors and services our customers and partners achieve better performance, safety and reliability. We offer a combination of domain expertise and technology to deliver the optimum drive and motor solution for a wide range of applications in all industrial segments. Through our global presence we are always close to serve our customers. Building on over 130 years of cumulative experience in electric powertrains, we learn and improve every day.
