TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy announced plans to evaluate Beacon Power Corp.'s flywheel energy storage technology for potential integration into Navy ships.
Massachusetts-based Beacon Power has been working closely with Naval Sea Systems Command officials to develop a shipboard energy storage system based on the company's Smart Energy 25 flywheel technology.
Beacon Power was awarded a contract by NAVSEA for researchers at the command to evaluate their flywheel system designed for future naval surface vessels to improve the integrated power systems.
"This contract with NAVSEA comes as a result of several years of working closely together to help the Navy understand the value and potential of our flywheel technology for shipboard use," Bill Capp, Beacon president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
"Because Navy ships are essentially mini-power grids, this program provides the opportunity to leverage our commercial experience with land-based power grids. We can also build on the knowledge gained from working with (the) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. Air Force Research Lab in support of spacecraft energy storage."
