ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES
SUPERCAPACITORS AND HYBRID SYSTEMS
20/08/2025
Synergy that accelerates sustainable electrification
In recent decades, energy storage technologies have undergone rapid evolution, driven by growing demand for sustainable, efficient, and reliable solutions. Among the various technologies developed, supercapacitors (or supercaps) have carved out an important role for applications requiring high power and fast response times. Although the energy density of supercapacitors is lower than that of batteries, their power density is significantly higher, making them ideal for dynamic and cyclic applications.
Supercapacitors work by storing energy through the electrostatic separation of charges, without significant chemical reactions. This allows them to:
- Charge and discharge in seconds
- Withstand over a million cycles without significant degradation
- Operate in a wide temperature range (-40°C to +65°C)
- Require minimal maintenance over time
These characteristics make them key components in hybrid storage systems, where they are combined with higher energy density batteries (such as Li-ion) to optimize autonomy and responsiveness. In a hybrid system, supercapacitors manage load peaks (e.g., during start-up, acceleration, or regenerative braking), while batteries provide continuous energy over time. This synergy improves the overall efficiency of the system and extends the useful life of the batteries, reducing the number of deep cycles they undergo.
The sectors most advanced in the adoption of hybrid systems
Among the most advanced sectors in the adoption of hybrid systems with supercapacitors are:
- Automotive: hybrid and fully electric vehicles, where supercaps support acceleration and energy recovery during braking.
- Rail transport: urban trains use supercaps to optimize energy recovery during stops.
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems: where supercaps ensure an instantaneous transition to backup sources.
- Smart grids: in smart grids for frequency and voltage stabilization during peaks.
In conclusion, the integration of supercapacitors into hybrid energy storage systems is one of the most promising strategies for addressing the challenges of modern electrification. Their use optimizes the use of energy resources, improves system reliability, and reduces environmental impact.
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