We can store energy in many ways, over and above the form we find it naturally in fossil fuel. We have mechanical compressed air energy, flywheel storage, and hydroelectric power too. Moreover, energy is available in biological form such as in glycogen and starch. Not to forget our favorite topic, batteries and capacitors. Especially the UltraBattery they are developing in Australia that is the focus of this post.
What Goes On Inside the UltraBattery That Makes It Special?
The UltraBattery is a hybrid lead-acid-battery-capacitor, with a common electrolyte in a single cell. It has one lead-oxide positive electrode, but two negative ones. One of these negatives is carbon for the capacitor, while the other one is lead for the battery.
Significant benefits include a considerably lower sulfation rate, and hence longer battery life. The key ingredient is an integral ultra-capacitor, allowing the battery to work efficiently at high rates of discharge. The UltraBattery is 70% less expensive than the nickel-metal hydride ones in hybrid vehicles. It performs equally well, but charges and discharges faster than the latter in its current form.
Research and Future Applications for Use
The Australian and Japanese governments funded the original project, with contributions from the U.S. Department of Energy. East Penn Manufacturing has a global head license to manufacture and commercialize the product.
Research and testing is ongoing. Future applications may include hybrid electric vehicles, renewable storage, and electricity supply smoothing. The UltraBattery may also sometime be able to provide auxiliary services to electrical grids.
The design harmonizes well with traditional lead-acid technology. Hence existing battery manufacturers can produce UltraBatteries. Moreover every component is recyclable for later reuse. Therefore the UltraBattery appears to be the long-awaited leap for lead-acid technology into grid energy storage, and a possible counter to lithium-ion inroads.
Related
How Auto Lead Acid Batteries Work
Preview Image: UltraBattery Technology
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