Article Contributed on: 9/22/2009 9:18:42 AM
In the search for "green" solutions to dealing with energy independence there have been some exciting advances in technology like solar cells. Pretty exotic stuff.
Now comes another solution that's been around for centuries. The Fly Wheel.
It's been used for making pottery, on steam engines and electric motors. The way a Fly Wheel works is simple: Intertia. The tendency for a body in motion to remain in motion. (Yes I did pay attention inphysics class.)
According to this article, sometimes old technology can be a great answer for today's and tomorrow's challenges.
This case it's not an issue of building a better mousetrap, but a better Fly Wheel. This kind of technology is especially helpful when dealing with "Intermittent" generation sources like wind.
Either way it's good to see scientists with both advanced degrees and good old fashioned horse sense!
John Scherer
John is CEO and Founder of
Video Professor, Inc.