Revolutionary Rotors: A Robotic Flywheel Assembly Line
Lead Participant:
LEVISTOR LTD
Abstract
Levistor is part of the electrifying journey towards a sustainable future. Saul Griffith, visionary entrepreneur and clean energy champion, has thrown down the gauntlet -- it's time to "electrify everything" to achieve carbon Net Zero and liberate our world from the grip of fossil fuels. Imagine the scale of this endeavour: the International Energy Agency highlights that to reach Net Zero, grid-scale battery storage capacity must increase by a staggering 35 times from 2022 to 2030\. US Climate Envoy, John Kerry, aptly dubs this the 'new industrial revolution.'
Enter Levistor, a trailblazer in this revolution, engineering a groundbreaking flywheel for energy storage. Picture a flywheel as a dynamic 'mechanical battery,' spinning rapidly to store energy. Unlike its chemical cousins such as lithium-ion batteries, which wear out with each charge and discharge cycle, our robust flywheel stands the test of time. Its mechanical nature not only ensures longevity but also promises a greener lifecycle and straightforward recycling at the end of its lifespan.
While the concept of the flywheel---storing energy in a rapidly rotating shaft or 'rotor'---is rooted in ancient mechanics, Levistor is injecting this time-honoured idea with a dose of modern ingenuity. The blend of advanced materials and sophisticated control systems has rejuvenated this old concept, carving out a crucial niche for it in today's energy landscape. Traditional high-speed machines, like aircraft jet engines, come with inherent risks in case of mechanical faults, leading to catastrophic failures. Levistor, however, has ingeniously designed a flywheel with an inherently safe structure, negating the need for expensive safety mechanisms and paving the way for this technology to reach mass-market success.
The challenge now lies in scaling up. Levistor has mastered the technology; the next frontier is to build these high-speed machines at automotive-scale prices. The focus is on developing a production line for the flywheel's central component, the high-speed rotor. This operation demands precision and speed in assembly, but without the hefty price tag. The approach is a blend of automated robotics and pioneering measurement and optimisation techniques, ensuring a seamless, cost-effective manufacturing process.
This project isn't just about creating an efficient product; it's a step towards revolutionising energy storage and propelling the world closer to a Net Zero future. Through innovative design and smart manufacturing, Levistor is steering the wheel of change in the global energy storage landscape, unlocking new potentials and shaping a greener, more sustainable world.
Enter Levistor, a trailblazer in this revolution, engineering a groundbreaking flywheel for energy storage. Picture a flywheel as a dynamic 'mechanical battery,' spinning rapidly to store energy. Unlike its chemical cousins such as lithium-ion batteries, which wear out with each charge and discharge cycle, our robust flywheel stands the test of time. Its mechanical nature not only ensures longevity but also promises a greener lifecycle and straightforward recycling at the end of its lifespan.
While the concept of the flywheel---storing energy in a rapidly rotating shaft or 'rotor'---is rooted in ancient mechanics, Levistor is injecting this time-honoured idea with a dose of modern ingenuity. The blend of advanced materials and sophisticated control systems has rejuvenated this old concept, carving out a crucial niche for it in today's energy landscape. Traditional high-speed machines, like aircraft jet engines, come with inherent risks in case of mechanical faults, leading to catastrophic failures. Levistor, however, has ingeniously designed a flywheel with an inherently safe structure, negating the need for expensive safety mechanisms and paving the way for this technology to reach mass-market success.
The challenge now lies in scaling up. Levistor has mastered the technology; the next frontier is to build these high-speed machines at automotive-scale prices. The focus is on developing a production line for the flywheel's central component, the high-speed rotor. This operation demands precision and speed in assembly, but without the hefty price tag. The approach is a blend of automated robotics and pioneering measurement and optimisation techniques, ensuring a seamless, cost-effective manufacturing process.
This project isn't just about creating an efficient product; it's a step towards revolutionising energy storage and propelling the world closer to a Net Zero future. Through innovative design and smart manufacturing, Levistor is steering the wheel of change in the global energy storage landscape, unlocking new potentials and shaping a greener, more sustainable world.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
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LEVISTOR LTD | £49,969 | £ 49,969 |
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Participant |
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INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
Tom Andrews (Project Manager) |