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Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2022) | Viewed by 29865

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Andrew F. Burke

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Guest Editor

Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Interests: electric and hybrid vehicle design analysis and testing; applications of batteries and ultracapacitors for electric vehicles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There have been many studies indicating that supercapacitor energy storage could be used to advantage in electric and hybrid vehicles. Supercapitors can be used alone or in combination with batteries to improve the powertrain efficiency and/or to increase the cycle life and reduce the cost of the batteries. The automobile industry has shown minimal interest in using supercapacitors, even in their advanced, high efficiency, alternative fuel vehicles. The reasons given for not using supercapacitors are their relatively low energy density and the high cost of the supercapacitors and the interface electronics needed to control the power as the capacitor voltage decreases in discharge. This Special Issue will address topics of special interest for vehicle applications of supercapacitors with particular attention to those cited by the auto industry as reasons for rejecting them as components in electric and hybrid vehicle powertrains. These topics could include, but are not be limited to, the following:

High energy density, high power, long life, low cost supercapacitor technologies;
Performance and cost requirements for supercapacitors for use in vehicles;
Energy storage (Wh) and power requirements for supercapacitors alone and in combination with batteries in HEVs, EVs, and PHEVs;
Control and simulation of supercapacitors in vehicle applications;
Battery cycling data showing the effect of the use of supercapacitors on battery cycle life;
Trade-offs between energy density, power capability, cycle life, and cost of batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles of different all-electric range;
Design, control, and cost of interface electrics for use with supercapacitors;
Design and testing of vehicles using supercapacitors;
Analysis and tests of stop-go hybrid vehicles using supercapacitors and batteries;
Any topic related to the use of supercapacitors in vehicles.

Dr. Andrew F. Burke
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

supercapacitors
energy storage systems
electric
hybrid vehicles

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

22 pages, 6062 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sizing Methodology of a Fast Charger for Public Service Electric Vehicles Based on Supercapacitors

by Joaquín F. Pedrayes, Manuel G. Melero, Manés F. Cabanas, Maria F. Quintana, Gonzalo A. Orcajo and Andrés S. González

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5398; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app13095398 - 26 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1458

Abstract

In this article, a new methodology for the sizing of a fast-charging station for electric vehicles is presented. The proposed method is applicable to public service vehicles on urban journeys. Its use has been conceived for vehicles equipped with an energy storage system based on supercapacitors (SCs), which are already functional in several countries. The proposed charging station also uses a bank of SCs of variable capacitance. During the study, mathematical expressions will be obtained for the electrical variables involved in vehicle charging: instantaneous current, peak current, charging time, dissipated energy, and the efficiency of energy transference. From these, each of the components of the system will be dimensioned: the capacitance of the charger with its different variable steps, the initial voltage of the charger, and the current smoothing inductor. The proposed charger presents the advantage of allowing energy to be evacuated to the electric vehicle very quickly and with high performance, all without using an external power source or high-power converters. The proposed architecture minimizes the disturbances that, with conventional methods, would appear on the electrical grid, preventing the installation of fast-charging stations at many grid nodes, as is currently the case. Finally, the charger control algorithm is considerably simplified as it only depends on the initial voltage of the vehicle’s accumulator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications)

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17 pages, 3352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supercapacitors in Constant-Power Applications: Mathematical Analysis for the Calculation of Temperature

by Joaquín F. Pedrayes, Manuel G. Melero, Joaquín G. Norniella, Manés F. Cabanas, Gonzalo A. Orcajo and Andrés S. González

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10153; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112110153 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5133

Abstract

A set of analytical equations for the calculation of the temperature in supercapacitors operating in constant-power applications is presented in this paper. Although the main operation modes of supercapacitors are constant-current and constant-power charge and discharge, this study was focused on the latter, since both sources and loads act as constant-power systems in a wide range of power conversion facilities. The starting point of this study is the classical supercapacitor model based on electrical and thermal parameters provided by manufacturers or also obtained by experimental means. The proposed mathematical analysis is based on the so-called incomplete gamma function that presents two major advantages over previously existing methods. Firstly, it is not necessary to solve any differential equations system by means of numerical methods, which reduces the required computational effort. Secondly, no simplifications to relief the calculations are made in the computation of any variable. The new formulation renders valid solutions even for high-power demand situations. Moreover, the temperature of the supercapacitor can be expressed as a function of time or any other electrical variable in the charging and discharging processes. Therefore, the proposed formulas are especially remarkable for the electrical and thermal dimensioning of supercapacitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications)

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11 pages, 2804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Fabrication of Polyaniline/Graphene Composite Fibers as Electrodes for Fiber-Shaped Supercapacitors

by Xuefei Yang, Yihan Qiu, Mei Zhang, Liangjing Zhang and Hongwei Li

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8690; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11188690 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2459

Abstract

Graphene fiber-based supercapacitors are known as the potential energy resources for wearable/flexible electronics. However, increasing their specific capacitance and energy density remains a significant challenge. This paper indicates a double layer capacitance of the graphene nanosheets accompanied by pseudocapacitive behavior of the polyaniline to prepare composite fibers with high capacitive response. The polyaniline/graphene composite fibers (PANI/GFs) were synthesized by the self-assembled strategy and chemical reduction by HI. The wrinkle architecture of graphene nanosheets and uniform dispersion of the polyaniline are beneficial to increase the internal electroactive sites and provide a stable structure for the composite fibers. The constructed fiber-shaped supercapacitors with solid-state electrolyte deliver an excellent areal specific capacitance of 370.2 mF cm⁻² and an outstanding areal energy density of 12.9 μW h cm⁻². The current work reveals the attractive potential of the as-synthesized composite fibers for constructing fiber-shaped supercapacitors with distinguished electrochemical performance, which can be applied in future flexible electronics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications)

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13 pages, 5356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors Based on the Surfactant/Ionic Liquid Complex Intercalated Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites

by Jun-Hong Lin, Bo-Wen Shi and Zhao-Cheng Chen

Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(4), 484; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app8040484 - 23 Mar 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4270

Abstract

In this paper, ionic surfactants are employed to intercalate thermally-reduced graphene oxide (TRG). The ionic interaction between the intercalated surfactant and the ionic liquid could lead to the formation of large-sized ionic aggregates and, hence, enlarge the interlayer distance between the TRG sheets. The morphology and vibration modes of these composites were systematically characterized using XRD (X-ray diffraction), SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering), and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). An asymmetric supercapacitor, which consisted of a cationic surfactant-intercalated electrode on one side and an anionic surfactant-intercalated electrode on the other, was examined. It was found that, with the increased interlayer distance, the energy density and capacitance of the cells were improved. It seems that the cell with a cationic surfactant as the cathode had the best energy density of 67.8 Wh/kg, which is 4.4-fold higher than that of the TRG cell. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications)

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Review

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18 pages, 16064 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Development, Performance, and Vehicle Applications of High Energy Density Electrochemical Capacitors

by Andrew F. Burke and Jingyuan Zhao

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1726; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12031726 - 08 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2076

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the development and performance of high-energy density electrochemical supercapacitors (ECCs) and their application in HEVs, PHEVs, and HFCVs. Detailed test data are shown for the Skeleton Technology 5000 F carbon/carbon EDLC device and the Aowei 9000 F hybrid (4 V) supercapacitor (HSC). The EDLC device had an energy density of 8.4 Wh/kg and the hybrid SC had an energy density between 30 and 65, depending on its rated voltage and the power of the discharge. These energy densities are significantly higher than previous ECCs tested. They indicate that good progress is being made in increasing the energy density of commercial ECCs. Vehicle applications of the advanced ECCs were evaluated based on Advisor simulations on city and highway driving cycles. Simulations were made for six vehicle types ranging from compact passenger cars to Class 8 long haul trucks. The fuel economy was calculated for each vehicle type using a lithium battery, the EDLC Skeleton Technology capacitor and the two Aowei hybrid capacitors as energy storage in the powertrain. The 4.1 V hybrid capacitor in all cases was lighter and smaller than the lithium battery. The fuel economies of the HEVs on the FUDS cycle were significantly higher (30–50%) than that of the corresponding ICE vehicle, except for the long haul truck, for which the fuel economy improvement was 20%. In almost all cases, the fuel economy improvement was highest when using the 4.1 V hybrid capacitor. Simulations were also run for fuel cell-powered vehicles. For the fuel cell vehicles, the fuel economies using the three energy storage technologies varied only slightly. For all the fuel cell vehicles simulated, the 4.1 V hybrid capacitor was the lightest and smallest of the energy storage options, and produced the best fuel economy. As in the case of HEVs, the hybrid capacitors appeared to be the best option for energy storage in fuel cell vehicle applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications)

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19 pages, 3699 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of the Supercapacitor for Energy Storage in China: Role and Strategy

by Yanchun Yang, Yinghui Han, Wenkun Jiang, Yuyang Zhang, Yanmei Xu and Ayman Mahmoud Ahmed

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 354; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12010354 - 30 Dec 2021

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 7118

Abstract

Supercapacitors are widely used in China due to their high energy storage efficiency, long cycle life, high power density and low maintenance cost. This review compares the differences of different types of supercapacitors and the developing trend of electrochemical hybrid energy storage technology. It gives an overview of the application status of supercapacitors in China’s smart grid and Energy Internet in detail. Some strategies and constructive suggestions are put forward to solve the existing problems. With the improvement of the grid-connected capacity of new energy power generation during the 14th Five-year Period of China, the supercapacitor market in China will usher in a good development opportunity. The role of the supercapacitor in achieving carbon peak carbon neutralization is prospected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications)

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23 pages, 4341 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prospects for the Development of High Energy Density Dielectric Capacitors

by Andrew Burke

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 8063; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11178063 - 31 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2693

Abstract

In this paper, the design of high energy density dielectric capacitors for energy storage in vehicle, industrial, and electric utility applications have been considered in detail. The performance of these devices depends primarily on the dielectric constant and breakdown strength characteristics of the dielectric material used. A review of the literature on composite polymer materials to assess their present dielectric constants and the various approaches being pursued to increase energy density found that there are many papers in which materials having dielectric constants of 20–50 were reported, but only a few showing materials with very high dielectric constants of 500 and greater. The very high dielectric constants were usually achieved with nanoscale metallic or carbon particles embedded in a host polymer and the maximum dielectric constant occurred near the percolation threshold particle loading. In this study, an analytical method to calculate the dielectric constant of composite dielectric polymers with various types of nanoparticles embedded is presented. The method was applied using an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the characteristics of spiral wound battery cells using various composite polymers with embedded particles. The calculated energy densities were strong functions of the size of the particles and thickness of the dielectric layer in the cell. For a 1000 V cell, an energy density of 100–200 Wh/kg was calculated for 3–5 nm particles and 3–5 µ thick dielectric layers. The results of this study indicate that dielectric materials with an effective dielectric constant of 500–1000 are needed to develop dielectric capacitor cells with battery-like energy density. The breakdown strength would be 300–400 V/µ in a reverse sandwich multilayer dielectric arrangement. The leakage current of the cell would be determined from appropriate DC testing. These high energy density dielectric capacitors are very different from electrochemical capacitors that utilize conducting polymers and liquid electrolytes and are constructed much like batteries. The dielectric capacitors have a very high cell voltage and are constructed like conventional ceramic capacitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems: Technology, Performance and Applications)

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