Experimental Evaluation and Analysis of High Speed Axial Flux PM Machine for Flywheel Energy Storage

Abstract

In this paper, experimental test is presented for a high speed axial flux permanent magnet machine (AFPM) for flywheel energy storage system (FESS). The axial flux design exhibits the use of sinusoidal PM shape which produces sinusoidal back-EMF to minimize the torque ripples. A drive system is developed to test the high speed machine as flywheel. The AFPM machine is tested up to the rated speed of 32,000 RPM and then the kinetic energy of the machine is discharged through a small DC load. The test results verifies the developed system to operate the machine at high speed as flywheel.