We have been working with Maxwell USA for a number of years and have noticed in more recent times increased interest and use cases where Ultracapacitors can offer unique and significant technology benefits.
But first, Why use an Ultracapacitor?
Typical primary energy sources including internal combustion engines, fuel cells and batteries work well as a continuous source of low power, but these sources cannot efficiently handle peak power demands or recapture energy in today’s applications because they discharge and recharge slowly. Ultracapacitors however deliver quick bursts of energy during peak power demands, then quickly store energy and capture excess power that is otherwise lost. They efficiently complement a primary energy source in today’s applications because they discharge and recharge quickly.
Uses Cases for Ultracapacitors Individual Cells: Maxwell’s HC series of ultracapacitor cells are ideal for consumer electronics, automotive control systems, wireless transmission, medical devices, automatic meter readers, and many other applications requiring a pulse of energy that cannot be efficiently provided by a battery or power supply alone. They are cost effectively packaged in industry standard, radial cylinders with either wire or snap-in leads. The HC works in tandem with batteries for applications that require both a constant low power discharge for continual function and a pulse power for peak loads. In these applications, the device relieves batteries of peak power functions resulting in an extension of battery life and a reduction of overall battery size and cost. The HC series is an ideal source of backup power. It can provide extended power availability, allowing critical information and functions to remain available during dips, sags, and outages in a power supply or battery change. And, like all our ultracapacitor products, the HC series is capable of accepting charges at the identical rate of discharge.
Modules: Here are some typical use cases for the larger modules:
- Harvest power from regenerative braking systems and release power to help hybrid buses accelerate.
- Used in blade pitch systems and to help increase reliability and stability to the energy grid.
- Reliably crank semi-trucks in cold weather or when batteries are drained from repetitive starting or in-cab electric loads.
- Capture energy and provide burst power to assist in lifting operations.
- Provide cranking power and voltage stabilization in start/stop systems, backup and peak power for key automotive applications – and serve as energy storage in regenerative braking systems.
- Provide energy to data centres between power failures and initiation of backup power systems, such as diesel generators or fuel cells.
- Capture energy from regenerative braking systems and release power to assist in train acceleration, and used for vehicle power where overhead wiring systems are not available.
- Provide energy storage for firming the output of renewable installations and increasing grid stability.
- Open aircraft doors in the event of power failures.
Specifications on the module configuration options are found here.
Could an ultracapacitor or module be a solution to your next energy storage requirement?
Visit us at the Glynstore.
You can also email us at sales@glyn.com.au for more information.