As the need for pollution reduction and decarbonization clashes with soaring power demands, the world faces an unprecedented challenge: how to deliver the peak power needed? Facilities want to replace carbon-based heating with high-power electric and non-polluting Electric Vehicles (EVs), and they need more high-power fast chargers to reduce range anxiety and accelerate EV adoption. The common problem is getting access to high, peak power from a local grid that is unprepared for it and to make it equitable across all communities. "To address this problem, transitioning to sustainable and cost-effective peak power support is crucial to meet growing electrical needs while minimizing environmental and financial impacts," explains Dr. James Clegern, Founder and President of KineticCore Solutions.
High-power energy storage is key to that transition. "It has the immediate ability for individual facilities or EV fast charging sites to reduce their periodic peak demands up to 80%, lowering power costs and stabilizing an aging grid infrastructure that needs the next 10–20 years to upgrade nationwide. But the main challenge is capital costs," said Dr. Clegern.
"Ultracapacitors can easily do the job, but they are by far the most expensive option and need replacement after about 10 years of service. Traditional Flywheels are also effective and last up to 20 years, but are the second most expensive option. Energy-dense chemical batteries, like Lithium-ion, tend to be the least expensive currently, but they have safety issues with replacements needed every 10–12 years," shares Dr. Clegern. "What is really needed is a low-cost, long-life, and high-power system that has improved safety for easy deployments and does not take critical materials, like Lithium, away from other battery needs."
That's where KineticCore Solutions comes in. By offering a safer, more durable, and more affordable "Kinetic Battery" option, KineticCore not only seeks to improve flywheel energy storage significantly but also brings it mainstream. At scale, this cost-effective peak power support will spark a new wave of advancements in electrification across the globe.
The Lightbulb Moment
Flywheels have been an established technology for over 4,000 years but have seen little design improvement since the Industrial Revolution 220 years ago. This status quo has limited the adoption of flywheel energy storage due to its high structural weight and high cost. Dr. Clegern dived into flywheel structural optimization as part of his 2012 dissertation research, blending advanced aerospace engineering technologies with traditional carbon composite structural materials. "I realized that my new optimization process could be used for designing high-speed composite flywheels. This would reduce the KineticCore flywheel's weight by up to 95% for the same energy storage capacity as a traditional flywheel. Since flywheel cost is directly related to weight, we can now make them affordable, which was a major breakthrough," Clegern recalls. "I realized that with early AI-driven optimization, I could vastly improve flywheel structural technologies and significantly reduce the cost of 'Kinetic' energy storage."
The problems that KineticCore Solutions is addressing are glaring. Peak electrical power is more expensive, ramps utility power (and pollution) generation, and drives an expected $630B in US grid infrastructure upgrades and, ultimately, everyone's electrical bills. Existing commercial facilities and EV fast chargers quietly spend over $110B each year on peak power use. If new, high power is needed that exceeds the local grid infrastructure capabilities, upgrading grid power access can be extremely expensive—often around $1,000 per kilowatt. These added costs significantly hinder facilities from further electrifying their operations, reducing carbon footprints, and meeting new regulation requirements.
Dr. Clegern adds, "Companies are often left with two choices if they don't have adequate grid power; to delay electrical upgrades or 'grin and bear it' with the high cost. Our new KineticCore 'Kinetic Battery' changes that choice with an affordable third option for peak power support that typically pays for itself in under 12 months of the expected 25-year battery life."
Additionally, KineticCore's Kinetic Batteries offer superior safety, as they contain no hazardous materials and pose no risk of spontaneous combustion or explosion, unlike traditional batteries used for storage. The technology is designed for longevity and durability, with a lifespan of up to 25 years and minimal maintenance requirements. Furthermore, they can operate efficiently in extreme temperatures without auxiliary heating/cooling, making them suitable for a broad range of environments, including the desert and areas significantly impacted by climate change.
As Dr. Clegern puts it, "Our KineticCore technology significantly reduces high-power energy storage costs and maintenance, and it's built to last, making it an attractive solution for commercial facilities facing significant power demands. Our competitive edge is clear."
Dr. Clegern adds, "There are approximately 5.9 million commercial facilities in the U.S. and about 10% of them experience issues with high-power demand, so there is a vast market need. Our goal is to offer a cost-effective means for facilities to manage their peak loads, making it easier for them to transition to advanced electrification and reduce their carbon footprints."
In addition, the over 1.2 million US commercial and fleet EV fast charging stations expected by 2035 can also benefit from this technology; thus, KinecticCore Solutions market potential is enormous. "The feedback from early potential customers has been overwhelmingly positive," asserts Dr. Clegern. "They can't believe something so effective and affordable is finally coming to market. Many, previously resigned to high costs and limited options, are excited about this new solution."
KineticCore Solutions' new "spin" on flywheel technology represents a major leap forward in energy storage and power management. By addressing the high costs and limitations of traditional methods, this innovation provides a much-needed solution for facilities struggling with peak load challenges. KineticCore's technology is poised to play a pivotal role in this transformation as the world moves toward greater electrification and sustainability.
To learn more about how KineticCore Solutions can revolutionize your peak power needs or to discuss potential collaborations, visit the KineticCore Solutions website today. Join them in leading the charge toward a more efficient and sustainable future.
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