Abstract
The ongoing transition towards inverter-based generation is significantly reducing conventional rotational inertia in power systems, leading to increased rates of change of frequency. To address this challenge, the Hydraulic Variable Inertia Flywheel (HVI-FW) represents a novel alternative for distributed and inherent inertia provision. This paper presents a design tool developed to optimize the geometric parameters of the novel flywheel, with respect to specific energy. A parameter study is conducted by varying key geometric dimensions, such as radius and height. The results demonstrate that the HVI-FW can achieve significantly higher specific energy than conventional flywheels, particularly for small radii, making it well suited for coupling with small, synchronously rotating electrical machines. The findings highlight the potential of the HVI-FW as an effective solution for providing distributed inertia in future low-inertia power systems.