A typical system consists of a flywheel supported by connected to a . The flywheel and sometimes motor–generator may be enclosed in a to reduce friction and energy loss. First-generation flywheel energy-storage systems use a large flywheel rotating on mechanical bearings. Newer systems use composite
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Electricity can be stored directly for a short time in capacitors, somewhat longer electrochemically in , and much longer chemically (e.g. hydrogen), mechanically (e.g. pumped hydropower) or as heat. The first pumped hydroelectricity was constructed at the end of the 19th century around in Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. The technique rapidly expanded during the 196.
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