Subject: Implementation of Grid-Scale Kinetic Energy Storage via Ultra-High-Strength Tethered Rings.
To: Farmingdale State College Science & Engineering Departments
Date: February 23, 2026
The Farmingdale Kinetic Energy Project (FKEP) aims to develop and test a revolutionary "Tethered Kinetic Ring" (TKR) storage system. Unlike traditional solid-mass flywheels, the TKR utilizes a high-strength Dyneema® ribbon core to support a 270kg rotating mass at 600 m/s. This technology offers a high-capacity, long-life, and fire-safe alternative to Lithium-Ion batteries, with a projected round-trip efficiency (RTE) exceeding 90% through integrated Stirling-cycle co-generation.
Traditional flywheels are limited by the "burst strength" of their solid rotors. The FKEP breaks this limit by decoupling the mass from the shaft:
- The Ribbon Core: A 20-strand bundle of UHMWPE fibers capable of sustaining 30 Million Newtons of hoop tension.
- Sliding Weight Architecture: 47 lead-steel weight modules that "self-balance" during rotation, eliminating the primary cause of flywheel failure: vibration resonance.
- Phase-Change Co-Generation: Utilizing waste resistive heat from the drive coils to boil refrigerant and power a Stirling engine, reclaiming energy that is usually lost in vacuum systems.
We propose the construction of a 13.5 kWh Proof-of-Concept unit to be housed within the FSC Engineering facilities (e.g., Lupton Hall).
- Footprint: 1.7m diameter vacuum chamber.
- Capacity: 13.5 kWh (equivalent to one Tesla Powerwall).
- Peak Power: 25 kW.
- Research Goals: Validate self-balancing at Mach 1.7 and test the efficiency of the Stirling heat recovery loop.
The long-term goal is to utilize FSC’s 380-acre campus for a subterranean utility-scale storage system.
- Diameter: 900 meters (circling the campus perimeter).
- Capacity: 8.1 MWh per loop (Scalable to 81 MWh via vertical stacking).
- Campus Impact: This system would allow Farmingdale to buffer its entire solar output and provide 100% energy autonomy during grid outages.
This project provides a multi-disciplinary platform for FSC students and faculty:
- Mechanical Engineering: High-speed vibration analysis and composite material stress testing (48,000 G-loads).
- Electrical Engineering: Development of high-frequency 3-phase Inverters and Regenerative Braking algorithms.
- Thermodynamics: Research into phase-change cooling and Stirling cycle optimization in vacuum environments.
- Sustainable Energy: Direct integration with campus micro-grid and solar initiatives.
Safety is the project's highest priority. The Phase 1 prototype will utilize:
- Reinforced Vacuum Housing: 15mm steel "Pancake" chamber designed to withstand 23 tons of atmospheric load.
- Sub-Grade Operation: Installation in a concrete containment pit to ensure zero-risk to campus personnel.
- Redundant Tethers: A 1.45x safety factor on the structural ribbon core.
We request an initial meeting with the Department Chair to discuss:
- Sourcing of lab space for the 1.5m prototype.
- Grant application opportunities (NYSERDA/DOE) for kinetic storage research.
- Integration of FKEP into the Senior Project curriculum for the Class of 2027.
Contact: [Your Name/Lead Researcher]
Project Repository: FSC-Kinetic-Storage-v1.30