Design, Fabrication, And Performance Evaluation of a Flywheel–Alternator-Based Power Generation System

flywheel energy storage system, fuel-less generator, off-grid power generation, Alternator Efficiency, Kinetic Energy of Flywheel.

Authors

  • Onah Okechukwu Thomas Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Enugu, Nigeria
  • Egwuagu Onyekachi Mercel Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Enugu, Nigeria
  • Aka Christian Chikezie Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Enugu, Nigeria
September 7, 2026
October 14, 2026

Downloads

The system was designed to optimize power output, efficiency, and stability under different load conditions. After testing, the generator achieved a peak output of 240V at a flywheel speed of 2000 RPM which is the energy conversion reached high efficiency ratings, demonstrating the system's viability for efficient power generation. This project work however, presents an overview of the applications of flywheel energy storage system (FESS) in power system and also analyses the design parameters in order to improve the energy density of the fuel-less generator. By converting mechanical energy stored in a flywheel into electrical power, the system eliminates the need for traditional fossil fuels, providing a sustainable alternative for power generation. The system was designed to optimize power output, efficiency, and stability under different load conditions. At the end of the project work, it was discovered that the flywheel energy storage system (the fuel-less generator), possessed a great power density (983.4kw/kg), capable of producing 3.5kw of electricity supply, although its energy density intensity (3.71kwh/kg) remains minimal, it however cripples it sustainability. The machine was also found out to be 75.9% efficient. From the research and results, certain parameters such as increasing the flywheel’s energy density have been discovered to enhance the machine’s sustainability. Despite these challenges, the 5 kVA fuel-less generator offers a promising solution for reliable, off-grid power generation, particularly in settings with limited access to fuel or a need for environmentally sustainable alternatives