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FAQ: How It Works

• Why buy a Torus Station?

  The Torus Station includes everything you need to generate and store clean electricity and manage your energy use. Torus works with your existing renewables, including solar, wind, and hydro, to power your home and EVs safely, efficiently, and reliably. Our system allows you to easily reduce your reliance on the grid, minimize your environmental footprint, and drastically reduce your monthly electricity bills. And with the Torus App, you can see where your power is stored and spent with the click of a button. 

• What is unique about the Torus Station?

  Simply put, the Torus Station is the best all-in-one approach to creating, storing, and managing renewable energy at your home or business. Torus’s battery options are both innovative and affordable, and our software allows you to track and control your power usage in real-time, while also promoting energy independence. Add in a host of unique, energy-saving automations, and you have the smartest, most efficient energy management system around.

• What are the system components of a Torus Station?

  Torus Station Core contains everything you need to create, store, and manage clean electricity at home, including a renewable energy source like solar panels, a Torus Smart Battery, Torus Control, and the Torus App. We also offer a Level II EV charging station as an add-on.

  Our Electron Architects are committed to working with you to find the very best system configuration to meet your energy needs.

• Can I add a Torus Station to my existing solar system?

  Yes! Torus can easily integrate with almost any existing renewable energy system, including those powered by solar, wind, water, and geothermal sources. Adding a Torus Station to your existing renewables boosts your energy efficiency and maximizes your impact.

• What's the difference between a Torus Station and a Powerwall / chemical battery?

  The Torus Flywheel is a kinetic battery, while the Powerwall is a chemical battery. Both are energy storage systems, but there are significant differences in terms of their operating principles, efficiency, and applications. Below is a crash course on the difference between these two systems:

  Operating principles:

  • Torus Flywheel: Flywheel batteries store power in the form of kinetic energy by spinning a rotor at high speeds. The rotor is made of steel and is mounted on bearings inside a vacuum chamber to minimize air resistance. When power is required, the kinetic energy of the spinning rotor is converted back into electrical energy through an electric motor generator.
  • Chemical battery (Powerwall): A chemical battery, like the Powerwall, stores energy through electrochemical reactions within individual cells. Each cell contains an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, which facilitate the flow of ions between the electrodes during charge and discharge cycles.

  Efficiency:

  • Torus Flywheel: Flywheel batteries have very high efficiency levels, often around 90-95%. They can quickly charge and discharge with minimal energy loss.
  • Chemical battery (Powerwall): Chemical batteries have lower efficiency levels, usually around 80-90%. Their efficiency levels also degrade over time due to chemical changes and increased internal resistance in the cells.

  Lifespan and maintenance:

  • Torus Flywheel: The Torus Flywheel has an expected lifespan of 25 years and requires minimal maintenance. Some bearings and vacuum seals may need occasional replacement or servicing.
  • Chemical battery (Powerwall): Chemical batteries usually have a limited lifespan—typically around 10 years—with their capacity degrading over time due to chemical changes within the cells. The number of charge and discharge cycles will impact the overall life of the battery.
    

  Environmental impact:

  • Torus Flywheel: Flywheels have a very low environmental impact, as they don't contain hazardous materials and can be more easily recycled.
  • Chemical battery (Powerwall): Chemical batteries can have a higher environmental impact due to their use of toxic materials like heavy metals and the complexities involved in recycling the components.