Vacuum regeneration method for a flywheel system

A flywheel energy storage system comprising:

• a flywheel for rotation about an axis, and supported by a bearing system in a chamber inside a container;
• a motor and generator means for accelerating and decelerating said flywheel for storing and retrieving energy;
• a getter vacuum pump operatively communicating with said chamber and in a heat-receiving position to an electrical heater;
• a timer for periodically connecting said electrical heater to a source of electrical power for heating and reactivating said getter vacuum pump periodically as determined by said timer.

A flywheel energy storage system comprising:

• a flywheel for rotation about an axis, and supported by a bearing system inside a chamber enclosed within a container;
• a motor and generator means for accelerating and decelerating said flywheel for storing and retrieving energy;
• a vacuum management system including a periodically activated vacuum pump for maintaining a vacuum inside said chamber for reducing aerodynamic drag;
• said vacuum management system including a first timer for controlling a periodic interval with a first time period between activation of said vacuum pump to reduce the pressure in said container, and a second timer controlling the duration of the activation with a second time period;
• wherein a ratio exists of said first time period to said second time period, said ration being greater than or equal to 50.