Nano-Engineered Carbon Electrochemical Capacitors

To address the needs of the energy industry and a variety of utility applications, the DOE has identified the need for improved energy storage devices that utilize carbon nano-tubes and other nano-engineered materials. One of these energy storage devices, supercapacitors, could interface with the power grid via a static power conditioner and provide power during short duration interruptions and voltage sags. These devices also could provide improved power quality and reliability, reduce the size of distributed generation systems, and satisfy energy demand by load leveling. This project will develop an all-solid-polymer-electrolyte Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC) for power transmission and distribution systems, providing improved system stability and lower demand peaks at critical times. The EDLC will have low overall ESR, high capacitance (>300 F/g), high-energy density (greater than 10 Wh/kg), and high-power density (greater than 1000 W/kg). Feasibility of the EDLC will be demonstrated in Phase I, and large-scale prototypes will be fabricated and extensively tested in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: EDLCs should have three major markets: automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial power management. The automotive market would use EDLCs as load-leveling devices for batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles. The consumer electronics market needs small high-frequency devices in order to reduce battery size. The industrial power market needs EDLCs that could interface with the power grid, providing high frequency (60 -120) Hz power during short duration interruptions, and voltage sags for improved power quality and reliability. In addition, EDLCs may find military applications in electric guns, kinetic-energy weapons, and active sonar pulses.