Ultracapacitors in Electrification: Driving Change with Complementary Technologies

In much the same way that the industrial revolution changed society all those years ago, electrification is now the driving force behind the industrialisation of multiple sectors. From manufacturing to automotive, mobility to the introduction of technologies such as the Internet of Things, electrification is seen by many as the nucleus around which society is developing.

Similarly, an industry which has arguably seen the greatest change in recent years, is renewable energy. This is as a result of multiple factors; rising concerns surrounding global warming; new laws and regulations surrounding pollution and innovative technology which enhance the capabilities of clean energy. As we shift from fossil fuels to renewables, more and more of our everyday utilities are powered by electricity. Yet, the infrastructure and technology used to accommodate this demand is rarely discussed.

Even if renewable energy could provide a constant, stable source of energy, there’s still the question of how to ensure grid infrastructure is robust enough to deal with demand. There are a couple of routes which can be taken to combat these issues. We can generate more electricity and overfeed the grid so it is always capable of handling any spikes in consumption or we can incorporate energy storage systems within the grid to reserve energy during quiet periods to accommodate spikes in demand.

Battery technology is becoming increasingly influential in catering for the demands of the national grid, with both flywheels and banks of batteries commonly deployed across the energy sector.

Touching upon flywheels first, these high inertia wheels generate power through utilising rotation at high revs (8000 Revs per minute, or more) and are kept in motion through the input of currents to ensure the select infrastructure is prepared for any surprise power surges. Although a downside to this method is the time required to not only implement such technology, but maintain it as regular maintenance is required every five years.

Banks of batteries, on the other hand, are commonly used to prevent blackouts, but due to their low power density they cannot deliver the necessary high powers jolts without sustaining damage. This means that a high volume of batteries are required to ensure the process is reliable, and on top of this, they also require regular maintenance throughout their lifecycle.