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Comment on Giant flywheel project in Scotland could prevent UK blackouts

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Does it make sense for a flywheel to have a horizontal axis of rotation, as shown in the concept image? Seems like that would be the hard way, from the standpoint of engineering.

Maybe they could just spin the Falkirk Wheel round really fast.

It's axis must be parallel with the Earth's axis, otherwise the earth's rotation would generate enormous gyroscopic forces.

Interesting. Why does every other flywheel on the market have a vertical axis (that is, normal to the surface of the Earth, regardless of the place it is installed)?

I was thinking more about the fatigue of the shaft.

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