One type of battery that is making waves in various fields is the supercapacitor battery.
What are supercapacitor batteries, you ask?
These batteries use electrostatic storage technology rather than chemical storage technology, which gives them a number of unique advantages.
But, of course, supercapacitors aren’t perfect and have their own limitations.
So, this article is going to be your personal handbook on supercapacitor batteries.
We’re going to discuss what they are, how they work, and their place in the future of energy technology.
Get ready to get charged, and let’s head into the world of supercapacitor batteries.
1. What Are Supercapacitor Batteries?
Supercapacitor batteries, also called ultracapacitors, supercapacitors, or double-layer capacitors, are designed with electrostatic technology that allows them to store large amounts of energy and recharge and discharge that energy very quickly.
The technology is based on using two conductive plates separated by a dielectric–a material that is a poor conductor of electricity–and an electrolyte solution.
The conductive plates of the supercapacitors are designed with high surface area materials, such as carbon.
Carbon, which is also porous, exhibits an excellent surface area per unit of mass, giving the batteries the ability to capture and release energy quickly.
Supercapacitors are often paired with traditional batteries, as they can enhance energy efficiency and battery life and allow high bursts of energy.
Researchers are currently working to improve supercapacitor batteries to function more efficiently as a primary source of energy and potentially replace other types of batteries used in various fields.
2. How Do Supercapacitor Batteries Work?
So, how exactly do these batteries work?
First, let’s break down each part and then go through the process of charging and releasing energy.
The primary parts of supercapacitor batteries:
Supercapacitors have four main parts: There are two current collectors made of aluminum, two electrodes made of activated carbon material, a separator made of an ion-permeable membrane, and an electrolyte solution.
Charging Process:
Voltage is sent into the supercapacitor, positively charging the positive electrode and negatively charging the negative electrode.
The positive ions in the electrolyte solution are then attracted to the negative electrode, creating a double layer of positive and negative ions.
The negative ions in the electrolyte solution are then attracted to the positive electrode, creating a double layer of negative and positive ions.
The attraction between the positive and negative ions, known as electrostatic forces, is how supercapacitor batteries store energy to be later discharged.
Discharging Process:
The battery is hooked up to a device requiring electrical power.
Energy stored in the positive electrode is released as an electric current, powering the device.
The energy circuit is completed by returning to the supercapacitor’s negative electrode.
As the stored energy flows out of the battery, the electrodes lose their charge and can no longer attract the ions in the electrolyte solution.
This process continues until the battery has depleted all its stored energy.
3. What is the Maximum Voltage that a Supercapacitor Battery Can Handle?
The most common maximum voltage that supercapacitor batteries can handle is between 2.5 to 2.7V (different types of supercapacitors may have higher maximum voltages, but they will have reduced lifespans).
A maximum voltage of 2.5 to 2.7V is considered to be relatively low–other power systems typically have higher levels.
Supercapacitors are able to reach higher voltages if they are connected in a series; however, a serial connection will increase internal resistance and reduce total capacitance.
However, although supercapacitor batteries may have a low maximum voltage level, they provide other benefits, such as rapid charging and discharging and high power density.
4. What Can Supercapacitor Batteries Be Used for?
Like all batteries, supercapacitors have a wide range of uses, but they are most valuable for appliances that require rapid charges and discharges instead of long-term energy storage.
Here are some of the usages of supercapacitor batteries:
Regenerative braking and rapid acceleration in hybrid and electric vehicles
Enhanced performance in consumer electronics
Energy storage for mobile devices
Renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines
Power source for industrial machinery
As supercapacitors continue to progress, their potential usage will continue to expand. But how do they compare with traditional batteries?
Well, let’s take a closer look to find out.
5. How Are Supercapacitor Batteries Different Than Traditional Batteries?
Supercapacitor batteries and traditional batteries work to serve the same function–provide energy–but there are several key differences between the two.
Here are the main differences between supercapacitors and traditional batteries:
Storage Systems
The primary difference between supercapacitors and traditional batteries is the way they store energy.
Supercapacitors rely on the separation of ions to store energy, while traditional batteries usually rely on a chemical process.
Energy capacity
Traditional batteries have a higher energy capacity.
In fact, lithium batteries’ energy capacity can be around thirty times higher than supercapacitors.
Until the energy capacity of supercapacitors increases, they will unlikely be able to replace the functions of traditional batteries.
Charging and discharging speeds
Supercapacitors have much faster charging and discharging speeds than traditional batteries.
In just a few seconds, a supercapacitor can be fully charged, ready to supply power, or transmit a large amount of energy.
The charging times of traditional batteries are longer because the technology is based on chemical reactions, which take more time.
Lifespans and Cycles
The electrostatic technology used in supercapacitors, unlike the chemical processes of traditional batteries, causes them to deteriorate much slower.
In turn, supercapacitors also provide more charge and discharge cycles.
The chemical reactions inside traditional batteries can alter the composition of their electrodes and electrolytes, causing a decrease in performance.
Usages
As of now, the usages of supercapacitors and traditional batteries are quite different.
Supercapacitors are generally used to complement traditional batteries in devices and equipment.
For example, smartphones have traditional batteries for their primary power and also supercapacitors for high-energy functions such as camera flashes.
Maximum Voltage
Traditional batteries have a higher maximum voltage than supercapacitors.
Depending on the type of battery, the maximum voltage can be anywhere between five to thirty times higher.
6. Can Supercapacitors Be Used as a Primary Power Source?
Supercapacitors excel at being secondary power sources.
Primary power sources need to be able to provide a stream of steady energy for long periods of time.
Lithium batteries, for example, are able to store large amounts of energy and have a consistent voltage output, allowing for a stable stream of energy, making them a great option for being a primary power source.
Supercapacitors, on the other hand, aren’t able to store as much energy as other batteries, and they have a design that allows energy to quickly be discharged.
These qualities are highly advantageous for certain functions but not for being a primary source of energy.
7. What Are the Advantages of Supercapacitor Batteries?
If supercapacitor batteries are making a splash in the world of energy and could potentially replace traditional batteries in the future, there must be some stellar advantages to using them, right?
Right!
Supercapacitor batteries offer a range of unique benefits that other types of batteries just don’t have.
Here are the top advantages of supercapacitor batteries:
Fast Charging and Discharging Abilities
The fast charging and discharging speeds of supercapacitor batteries are some of their top advantages, as they can move and absorb energy faster than most other batteries.
It makes them perfect for devices or systems that need large, quick bursts of power that can be recharged over and over again.
Reliable Performance
Supercapacitors are known for being consistent and reliable.
Even after several charge and discharge cycles, the batteries will continue to provide high-quality performance.
The non-chemical-based storage system does not provide as much wear and tear as traditional batteries, enhancing its overall abilities.
Long Lifespans
In addition to consistency and reliability, supercapacitors have long lifespans.
The amount of total cycles they can handle varies depending on the model; however, on average, supercapacitors will last for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of charge/discharge cycles (some sources suggest that supercapacitors can last 10 to 15 years).
Low-Temperature Performance
Even at low temperatures, supercapacitors are able to perform at high levels.
The performance abilities of other types of batteries typically begin to worsen as temperatures drop.
Supercapacitors’ resilience makes them an excellent option for several types of environments.
Environmentally Friendly
Unlike traditional batteries, supercapacitors do not contain heavy metals or other toxins that threaten the environment.
Supercapacitors are a great addition to other renewable energy systems that are used to fight against climate change and environmental destruction.
8. What Are the Disadvantages of Supercapacitor Batteries?
Supercapacitors aren’t perfect.
Some of their pitfalls are still holding them back from being able to replace traditional batteries.
So, let’s take a look at a few areas where supercapacitors fall short.
Low Voltage
Supercapacitors have a low maximum voltage (2.5 to 2.7V).
That means they will not be able to be used or at least relied on for devices or applications that require a higher maximum voltage.
A few examples of applications that require more voltage than they can handle are electric vehicle systems and some industrial machinery.
Supercapacitors’ low voltage is part of the reason they are only used in addition to other battery sources.
Limited Energy Storage
Energy storage is limited in supercapacitors compared to other battery types.
They are much more efficient at providing short bursts of energy and being able to quickly recharge and fire again.
Researchers are currently working on ways to increase supercapacitors’ energy storage capabilities.
Cost
As of now, supercapacitors are more expensive than traditional batteries due to the manufacturing process and specific types of materials.
Higher prices mean companies are less willing to put them into their products.
Self-Discharge Rates
When supercapacitor batteries are disconnected from a power source, they have a higher self-discharge rate than traditional batteries.
Their stored energy can sometimes drop more than ten percentage points even if they are not being used (different kinds of supercapacitors have different self-discharge rates).
9. Will Supercapacitor Batteries Replace Regular Batteries?
As of now, and in the foreseeable future, supercapacitor batteries are not going to replace regular batteries.
Why not?
Well, supercapacitors and traditional batteries have different strengths and weaknesses, and together, they complement each other quite well.
Research and development are currently being done to enhance supercapacitors’ energy storage capacity, which could one day lead to them being more versatile.
As supercapacitors continue to evolve, we will likely see them have a more prominent role in things like electric cars and energy harvesting systems.
So, instead of thinking about these types of batteries as a new and improved energy storage system that’s going to replace traditional batteries, think of them as something that’s going to help optimize the performance of systems that need frequent bursts of high energy.
10. Are Supercapacitors Resistant to Overcharging and Over-Discharging?
Unlike other batteries, supercapacitors are not prone to overcharging and over-discharging.
The chemical reaction process that’s necessary for batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, to store energy is commonly the culprit for overcharging and over-discharging.
Because supercapacitors do not rely on chemical reactions and instead rely on electrostatic reactions, the likelihood of these problems occurring is much lower.
Additionally, most supercapacitors are designed with protective circuitry that also helps prevent overcharging and over-discharging.
It’s important to note that just because supercapacitors are more resilient to these issues than other batteries, users should still practice proper protocols to maintain the quality and efficiency of the batteries.
11. Do Supercapacitors Require Special Maintenance?
Supercapacitors are incredibly easy to maintain.
In fact, they require very little maintenance at all.
Minimal to no maintenance means that owners will not have to spend money on professionals frequently checking their supercapacitors.
Additionally, electric car manufacturers can confidently install supercapacitors, knowing that the batteries will be able to perform for a long time without periodically failing due to a lack of maintenance.
The reasons supercapacitors don’t need special maintenance are that they don’t have charging requirements, they work well in a wide range of temperatures, and they do not pose the risk of electrolyte leakage.
Other batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, typically need frequent maintenance to perform optimally.
Some of their maintenance requirements are tasks like cleaning battery terminals, checking electrolyte levels, and inspecting for deterioration.
So, when it comes to maintenance requirements, supercapacitors are as easy as they come.
Final Thoughts
Supercapacitors provide a unique set of characteristics that are highly advantageous for many applications that require frequent bursts of high energy.
Being designed with electrostatic technology can, at times, make supercapacitors more effective than traditional batteries.
However, as of now, supercapacitors are still typically used as secondary power sources, and they won’t likely replace lithium-ion batteries anytime soon.
But, as more research and development goes into supercapacitors, it will continue to allow several industries to optimize the systems of things like wind turbines, electric cars, mobile devices, and more!
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Disclaimer: we are not lawyers, accountants or financial advisors and the information in this article is for informational purposes only. This article is based on our own research and experience and we do our best to keep it accurate and up-to-date, but it may contain errors. Please be sure to consult a legal or financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Prior to starting Gokce Capital, Erika received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California and a graduate degree in Urban Policy from Columbia University. She worked as both an architectural designer and engineer in New York before joining the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
Erika currently lives in the New York Metropolitan area with her spouse, daughter and cat. She is originally from Chicago and still considers herself a midwesterner at heart.
Erika also loves to read, write and travel (fun fact, she has visited all 50 states and more than 30 countries!). Her new book, Land Investing Mistakes: 11 True Stories You Need To Know Before Buying Land, is now available on Amazon.