A supercapacitor is a high capacity electromechanical capacitor with capacitance values much higher than other capacitors (but lower voltage limits) that basically bridge the gap between electrolytic capacitor & rechargeable batteries. They typically store 10 to 100 times more energy per unit volume or mass than electrolytic capacitor, can accept & deliver charge much faster than batteries & tolerate many more charge & discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries.
VinatechSupercapacitor are used in applications requiring many rapid charge/discharge cycles rather than long term compact energy storage: within cars, buses, trains, cranes and elevators, where they are used for regenerative braking, short-term energy storage or burst-mode power delivery. Smaller units are used as memory backup for static random-access memory (SRAM).
The main automotive applications of Vinatechsupercapacitor are:
- Automotive battery (Hybrid Battery).
- Navigation system (Backup).
- Black Box (data keeping for recovery).
- Backup power for ECU.
- Peak power assists for steering wheel.
- HEV power assists.
- Regenerative braking system.
Hybrid Battery= VRLA Battery + supercapacitor
Automotive batteries have limitations in terms of life, power delivery & environmental range.
Supercapacitors resolve the limitation of Lead-Acid & Lithium ion batteries, delivering far superior electrical performance applications such as:
- Warm cranking for fuel efficient stop-start systems.
- Cold cranking support to extend battery life.
- Regenerative energy capture during braking/coasting.
- Distributed power systems to reduce wiring loom size/weight/cost.
- Drive-train support in hybrid electric & electric vehicles.
- Drive-train support in fuel cell/hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- Drive-train support in electric buses, trucks, bikes etc.
Lead acid & lithium ion batteries have limitation in life power delivery & low temperature which impact their utility in automotive applications.
Whereas Supercapacitors have superior power density for high current and low energy applications.
Below is the fuel cell system architecture:
