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NorthWestern Energy to Install New Flywheel Energy Storage System

September 29, 2011 /

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NorthWestern Energy http://www.northwesternenergy.com/ is trying out a new energy storage system at the Dave Gates Generating Station near Anaconda to more efficiently balance transmission across the region.

Beacon Power Corp., based out of Massachusetts, will install flywheel technology at the 150-megawatt plant that can temporarily convert electricity into kinetic energy by spinning rotors.

As load on the grid fluctuates, it then re-applies that power back onto the system — essentially recycling energy that would otherwise be lost.

Officials announced the project Wednesday afternoon, and showed a small group of county leaders around the site. The system, consisting of 10 flywheels able to hold up to one megawatt, is expected to go online by the end of the year.

By George Plaven of The Montana Standard

Full Story: http://mtstandard.com/news/local/flywheel-energy-storage-planned/article_d405da46-ea51-11e0-a597-001cc4c002e0.html

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