Renewable energy expansion in the United States continues to drive competition in the energy storage sector, with emerging technologies competing alongside established pumped hydroelectric systems that currently dominate the market. Pumped storage accounts for approximately 95% of utility-scale long-duration energy storage capacity in the country but faces geographic and resource constraints that create opportunities for alternative approaches.
Flywheel technology, an ancient mechanism adapted for modern energy applications, is among several alternatives gaining traction in the long-duration storage space. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which have not yet achieved sufficient development for extended storage durations, and thermal storage systems that remain in early scaling phases, flywheels store energy through kinetic motion rather than chemical processes. This approach offers potential advantages including extended operational lifespans, reduced fire risk, and lower reliance on critical supply chain materials.
Qnetic, a startup with operations in both the United States and China, is developing a system called Pulsar designed to provide up to 12 hours of energy storage. The company is constructing a testing facility in Shanghai described as the world’s largest dedicated flywheel test cell, while planning domestic manufacturing of its commercial systems. Recent progress includes foundation work and development of a 200 kilowatt-hour prototype. Qnetic has secured $7.1 million in funding over a 12-month period to support a planned California factory for low-volume production.
Qnetic’s approach employs a carbon fiber rotor magnetically levitated in a vacuum enclosure to minimize friction losses, a key limitation in earlier flywheel designs. The company claims its systems could generate twice the daily revenue of equivalent lithium-ion installations while offering 85% round-trip efficiency and discharge capabilities spanning 4 to 12 hours. The technology has received validation support from the Electric Power Research Institute and holds agreements with Department of Energy laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, strengthening its credibility within the sector.
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