Integration of flywheel-based energy storage for frequency regulation in deregulated markets

Flywheel-based energy storage is being introduced on a large scale (20 MW) for providing grid frequency regulation in deregulated markets. The ISOs have already introduced, or are in the process of introducing, market rules and tariffs to comply with FERC Order No. 890 to allow new competitive technologies to participate in the markets. Analysis of more than one year of operating data shows flywheel-based storage can provide superior cost, emissions, and operational performance. Availability of this new grid technology is particularly important since the rapid addition of variable-generation renewable resources to meet RPS standards is expected to increase the need for regulation.This paper presents performance data from more than one year of operation in an ISO New England (ISO-NE) field trial, describes NYISO and MISO strategies for using fast-response Limited Energy Storage Resources (LESR) for maximum effectiveness, and describes the ISO-NE regulation control methodology that has achieved the lowest (best-in-class) amount of required regulation of any large grid in North America. Charge and discharge cycle requirements for energy storagebased technologies performing regulation are also extrapolated based on real operating data, and a practical definition of overall system efficiency is introduced. Lastly, status on the progress of the first two 20 MW flywheelbased regulation plants in NYISO and PJM and their related DOE funding support are presented.