Enel to assess Amber Kinetics' flywheel energy storage technology

Flywheel energy storage technology developer Amber Kinetics Inc and Enel SpA (BIT:ENEL) have agreed to jointly assess Amber Kinetics' technology, the companies said in separate statements on Thursday.

The US start-up and the Italian utility have signed a two-year agreement, under which they will also look into the potential development of future projects.

The cooperation will start with Enel studying two of Amber Kinetics' 8-kW/32-kWh flywheel energy storage systems that will be installed at Amber Kinetics' test facility in California. Following a successful three-month demonstration, Enel will consider deploying Amber Kinetics' next-generation flywheel technology, of 40-kW/160-kWh, in one of its thermal power plants.

"Having such a highly regarded and financially solid partner will allow us to more rapidly achieve our vision of providing a work horse option for flexible energy storage solutions around the globe," said Ed Chiao, co-founderand chief executive of Union City, California-based Amber Kinetics, which started commercial shipments of its flywheels in September 2016.

Amber Kinetics' flywheel maintains its 32-kWh storage capacity over its expected 30-year lifetime, which is an advantage over batteries, Enel said. As hundreds of megawatt hours can be stored in groups of flywheels, the technology is appealing for all kinds of energy sources, from renewable to traditional ones, it added.

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