Super-capacitor Energy Storage System for Compact High Power Applications

The Navy has many systems that require compact, high-power, short-duration sources of electricity. A problem emerges in these systems that the design for maximum power requirement results in over-sizing of average mission energy requirements. The Phase Ieffort for this project examined the application of a double-layered capacitor constructed using Ocellus Technologies novel electrode materials integrated in with a battery in a LELFAS system. The Phase I results showed that Ocellus Technologies designwould meet system requirements and could also be scaled and sized for larger or smaller Navy applications.The primary objective under the Phase II effort will be the construction of a prototype capacitor assembly for the LELFAS system. Activities to be performed under the Phase II effort includes: capacitor cell scaling to the larger LELFAS sizes; assemblyand testing tooling development; power electronic interface development; and prototype assembly and testing. Options under the Phase II effort will address further prototype design refinements including environmental performance, power electronics, andupdating of assembly tooling. Because of the high energy density and benefits of conformal shape design, this technology has uses in other energy storage markets including: 1) dipping sonar; 2) unattended ground sensors; 3) precision guided munitions; 4) active sonobuoys; and 5) shipelectrification (distributed power load leveling and conditioning electronic subsystems).A secondary commercial market includes: energy storage subsystems for the uninterruptible power supplies for ride-through and power quality; combining with fuel cells and micro-turbines to accommodate start-up and load transients conditions; and electricalvehicle load leveling. Much of the Distributed Utility or distributed power concept depends on coupling appropriate energy storage devices to supply peak power with the distributed steady-state power sources. Additional commercial applications includeindustrial pulse-power driven applications such as x-ray, welding, and photoflash materials conditioning.