The global energy storage market is projected to reach $620 billion by 2030. The increasing urgency for sustainable energy solutions in industries like Electric Vehicles (EVs) drives this growth. Above that, governments worldwide are tightening regulations and setting ambitious targets, such as the European Union’s goal to achieve 60% renewable energy by 2030.
Leaders like John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, have emphasized that the transition to clean energy will stall without robust energy storage solutions.
Traditional methods like lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage have been the backbone of this transition. However, they face significant challenges, including resource scarcity, environmental impact, and inefficiencies over long durations.
This brings us to the pressing need for innovative solutions such as Advanced Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS), which offers a sustainable and efficient alternative.
FESS offers unparalleled longevity and reliability, with lifespans exceeding 50,000 cycles and design lives of over 25 years. This energy storage system boasts a significantly lower Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS), estimated at around 3.8 cents per kWh compared to 11 cents per kWh for lithium-ion batteries.
With its simple control mechanisms and efficient operation across a wide temperature range, FESS outperforms batteries in grid storage applications. It can provide reserve power for momentary frequency regulation and balance sudden supply-demand fluctuations.
Unlike conventional methods, FESS provides longer lifespans, rapid response times, and minimal environmental impact, making it a compelling option for future energy storage.
This article explores five early and growth-stage advanced flywheel energy storage startups leading the next era of sustainable energy solutions.
These startups have the potential to multiply, are in a good market position, or can introduce game-changing energy storage tech to the market in the next 2-3 years. This makes them a great option to partner with, collaborate with, or acquire.
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1. Levistor
| Founding Year | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Raynes Park, England |
| Total Funding Amount | £2.8 Million |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed/Undisclosed |
| Website | https://levistor.com |
The lack of rapid charging infrastructure is currently hindering the widespread adoption of EVs. This leads to “range anxiety” among drivers and also puts significant strain on local power grids. On the other side, current energy storage methods, like lithium-ion batteries, while effective for energy storage, degrade quickly under the high power demands required for rapid charging. Their production involves costly and environmentally harmful materials.
To solve this problem, London-based startup Levistor has developed an innovative Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS), which acts as a kinetic battery. This technology stores energy from the grid during periods of low demand and releases it rapidly when an EV needs a quick charge. It can deliver 100 miles of range in just five minutes.
The FESS is designed to be durable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly, using materials like steel and copper instead of toxic chemicals. Additionally, it can be installed above or below ground (singularly or in multiples).
Unlike lithium-ion batteries, the FESS does not degrade with frequent use, making it a more reliable and long-lasting solution for high-demand charging scenarios.
FESS can be scaled to suit various locations, such as service stations, bus terminals, and distribution centers. This innovation could significantly accelerate the rollout of EV infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas, helping to alleviate range anxiety and support the broader adoption of electric vehicles.
The startup was founded by CEO Matt Journee, Tom Andrews, Ivan Roitch, and Keith Pullen.
Matt has experience working with multiple deep-tech startups and companies, such as Dynamic Boosting Systems, CropLogic, James Fisher Nuclear Services (UK), and Powerhouse Ventures Limited (NZ). He has held roles such as COO, CEO, and Operations manager.
Levistor raised its latest funding from a Seed round on March 3, 2023. The startup is backed by Highways England, Innovate UK, the UK Department for Business, Crowdcube (a crowdfunding platform), and Strata.
2. Torus
| Founding Year | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Utah, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $67 Million |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Series A/$67 Million |
| Website | https://www.torus.co |
Torus is revolutionizing the energy storage landscape with its advanced Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS), which offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional chemical batteries.
Unlike conventional batteries that rely on chemical reactions, Torus’s flywheel technology stores kinetic energy by spinning a heavy metal rotor inside a vacuum chamber. This approach significantly reduces energy loss and allows the system to charge and discharge at lightning-fast rates, making it ideal for applications like EV charging stations.
The Torus Flywheel is designed for durability, offering a lifespan of up to 30 years and 50,000 charge cycles — three times longer than most chemical batteries. It also operates efficiently across a wide temperature range (-20° to 140°F). The Flywheel is constructed from 95% recyclable materials, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability.
The system can store and rapidly deploy energy and can be used in residential and commercial settings. It helps reduce demand charges and lower overall power costs.
In addition to its standalone capabilities, the Torus Flywheel can be integrated with renewable energy sources like solar and wind to enhance its utility as a clean and reliable energy storage solution.
The startup emphasizes its products’ 30 years of longevity to justify the higher cost of Flywheel technology. Moreover, it claims a charging speed of 20-30 minutes and offers potential storage capacities ranging from 32 kWh daily to 292,000 kWh over 25 years.
Nate Walkingshaw is the co-founder and CEO of this flywheel energy storage startup. He also serves on 47G’s Board and is a Member of the Board of Directors for Pura, a smart fragrance diffuser startup. Nate worked with companies like Pluralsight, Starva Inc., and Stryker Medical. In the past, he founded Paramed Systems and led it for 5 years, which was later acquired by Stryker Medical.
In April 2024, Torus raised $67 million in a Series A funding round. Origin Ventures led the round, which included participation from several other investors, including Iconiq Capital and EPIC Ventures.
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3. KineticCore Solutions
| Founding Year | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Colorado, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $254.8K |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Grant/$254.8K |
| Website | https://www.kineticcore.com |
Traditional chemical batteries degrade quickly, contain hazardous materials, and are costly to recycle. These issues are significant in the context of rapidly growing energy demands, especially for applications like electric vehicle (EV) charging and grid stabilization.
To tackle these problems, KineticCore Solutions has developed an innovative flywheel/kinetic energy storage system known as the Kinetic Battery. This technology leverages a next-generation flywheel design that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
The Kinetic Battery can deliver over 250 kW of power with no degradation over its 25+ year lifespan, making it a durable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The system’s high efficiency, sub-second reaction times, and ability to handle up to 48 charge/discharge cycles daily make it ideal for high-power applications like EV fast charging.
Compared to traditional solutions, KineticCore’s technology offers up to 60% lower upfront costs and reduces operational expenses by up to 85% over the system’s lifetime. Its non-chemical nature also eliminates the risks associated with toxic materials, making it a safer and more sustainable option for large-scale energy storage.
Its high efficiency, requiring no auxiliary heating or cooling loads, ensures optimal operation in diverse environments. KCS’s innovative technology is also cost-effective, with a low weight and small footprint. Its deployments are easy and reduce initial costs by up to 75% for peak load support.
James Clegern is the President of KeneticCore Solutions. He served with the United States Air Force (USAF) for 20 years and worked as an engineering development manager for 5+ years at Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories, LLC. He holds a PhD in Engineering/Industrial Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Funding: KineticCore Solutions received its latest funding, a $254.8K Grant from the National Science Foundation, on February 17, 2022.
Related Read: Top Companies Researching Hybrid Energy Storage System!
4. Revterra
| Founding Year | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $6.2 Million |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Grant/$20K |
| Website | https://www.revterra.io |
While non-toxic and highly efficient, traditional flywheel energy storage systems suffer from high capital costs and energy losses due to friction and power-hungry active magnetic bearings. Additionally, high rotational speeds, bearing friction, and vacuum chamber requirements limit the scalability and cost-effectiveness of flywheel technology.
To solve these problems, Revterra has developed an innovative kinetic energy storage system known as the S100 Kinetic Battery. This system uses advanced flywheel technology, where energy is stored in the form of rotational kinetic energy and can be rapidly deployed when needed.
The S100 unit provides 100 kWh of energy and has a power rating of 400 kW. It offers an ultra-fast charging capability, with a full discharge in just 15 minutes.
Revterra uses passive magnetic levitation and low-cost steel flywheels, ensuring minimal wear and tear over extended use. The Advanced Flywheel Technology utilizes a low-friction environment created by passive magnetic bearings. It reduces energy losses by up to 20 times compared to conventional flywheel systems.
This innovative approach enables larger module sizes, lowering costs and improving efficiency. With a 90% round-trip efficiency and a power-to-energy ratio four times higher than batteries, Revterra’s FESS offers rapid charging capabilities and a lifespan exceeding 40,000 cycles.
Additionally, recycled steel ensures a secure supply chain and environmentally friendly battery solution. This makes it particularly well-suited for enabling DC-fast charging in areas with weak grid infrastructure, allowing for rapid EV charging without costly grid upgrades.
Ben Jawdat is the founder and CEO of this Advanced Flywheel Technology Startup. He is also a research scientist at RICE University. Ben holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Houston. He was part of the Texas Center for Superconductivity at The University of Houston as a research assistant and Postdoctoral fellow for 5+ years. He also worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory (ARFL) for 2+ years.
On October 12, 2022, Revterra received its $20K grant from Florida Venture Forum (lead investors) and Space Florida.
5. Helix Power Corproration
| Founding Year | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Massachusetts, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $2.5 Million |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Non-Equity Assistance/Undisclosed |
| Website | https://www.helixpower.com |
The energy sector faces critical challenges in managing short-duration, high-power grid demands. Traditional energy storage systems, like chemical batteries, struggle with rapid charge and discharge cycles, leading to degradation over time and significant maintenance costs. These systems often rely on materials that pose environmental hazards and can be expensive to scale for grid-level applications.
The inconsistent nature of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar also presents challenges in grid integration and stability.
Helix Power has developed a patented flywheel energy storage system to overcome these issues and provide short-duration energy storage. This technology uses a carbon fiber rotor and frictionless magnetic bearings sealed in a vacuum to minimize energy loss and maximize efficiency.
The system can store up to 1 MW of power and return 95% of that energy back to the grid with a response time of under 90 seconds.
Unlike chemical batteries, Helix’s flywheel system can have over one million charge/discharge cycles with a lifespan exceeding 20 years. This makes it a more durable and cost-effective solution for applications such as grid balancing, regenerative braking in transit systems, and microgrid storage.
Implementing Helix’s technology has the potential to significantly reduce metro train energy consumption by 30% to 50%. Furthermore, the flywheel can be installed individually or in groups, offering versatility in various applications, including rapid transit systems and seaport cranes.
Matthew Lazarewicz is the President and co-founder of Helix Power Corporation. Before this startup, he served as Director of the Electricity Storage Association (ESA) for 9+ years. In his long career with tech companies, Matthew was part of Beacon Power Corp (for 13+ years), GE Aircraft Engines (for 19+ years), and GE Power Systems. He held roles as a mechanical engineer, VP of engineering, CTO, and various project management positions in these organizations.
Helix Power raised its latest Non-equity Assistance round on Jan 1, 2016. NYSERDA and Cleantech Open back this startup. The US Department of Energy backed it with $1.25 Million. NYSERDA also provided the startup with $2.5 million to integrate its technology with the New York City Subway.
Helix Power is part of Greentown Labs, North America’s largest Climatech incubator. It has also been selected as a Halliburton Labs Chorot Member for the clean energy accelerator program.
6. Amber Kinetics
| Founding Year | 2009 |
| Headquarters | California, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | Undisclosed |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed/Undisclosed |
| Website | https://amberkinetics.com |
There is a pressing issue of providing reliable, long-duration energy storage solutions to support the increasing integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. Traditional chemical batteries, like lithium-ion, degrade over time, have limited lifespans, and pose significant environmental risks due to their reliance on rare and hazardous materials. These limitations make them less suitable for long-term, large-scale energy storage needs, particularly in supporting renewable energy and ensuring grid stability.
To address these challenges, Amber Kinetics has developed a patented advanced Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS), which offers a unique combination of durability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Amber Kinetics’ flywheel technology boasts over 85% round-trip efficiency, no degradation over time, and total power output across the entire State-of-Charge range. Moreover, it has a 30-year design life and no need for daily cycling limitations or HVAC systems.
Amber Kinetics’ Flywheel Technology revolutionizes energy storage by introducing its first commercialized four-hour discharge, long-duration FESS solution. It efficiently stores kinetic energy in a spinning steel rotor enclosed in a vacuum.
The flywheel has an energy capacity of 32 kWh and can scale up to tens or even hundreds of megawatts with unparalleled flexibility and reliability. It Operates within a broad temperature range of -20°C to 50°C and performs consistently with efficiency even in harsh environmental conditions like Tokyo’s earthquakes.
Furthermore, its sustainable and recyclable all-steel design minimizes environmental impact while offering lower operation and maintenance costs compared to traditional battery systems.
This kinetic energy storage company has over 93 flywheel installations worldwide, including Tibet, Japan, the US, Taiwan, Australia, and the Philippines. It is actively pursuing the expansion and testing of its flywheel energy storage technology in the Philippines, particularly in regions with high electricity costs and unreliable power supply.
The company has 35 flywheel units installed at De La Salle University in Manila. It is considering further proof-of-concept testing on islands like Mindanao and Palawan. In collaboration with the Aboitiz Group, Amber Kinetics is exploring potential sites that could benefit from 2.5 to 5 megawatts of storage capacity.
Amber Kinetics is also planning to open two to three manufacturing sites in the US for long-duration kinetic energy storage systems (KESS). The next facility in the Philippines is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
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Authored By: Naveen Kumar, Market Research
