Doha Energy Storage Supercapacitor Quote

SMEs cited a lack of awareness about supercapacitor benefits and capabilities for the power system, and the significant challenge of integration into the broader energy storage conversation. Supercapacitors are developed within a small industry relative to other types of energy storage, such as batteries.

High capital cost and low energy density of supercapacitors make the unit cost of energy stored (kWh) more expensive than alternatives such as batteries. Their attributes make them attractive for uses in which frequent small charges/discharges are required (e.g., ensuring power quality or providing frequency regulation).

The major drawbacks of supercapacitors are low energy density and a high self-discharge rate. For example, a supercapacitor passively discharges from 100% to 50% in a month compared with only 5% for a lithium-ion battery .

As mentioned, multiple times in this report, supercapacitors have not been traditionally well suited for stand-alone, long-duration energy storage but may have substantial benefit when hybridized with complimentary storage technologies. Ideal combinations are those in which the strengths of one technology offset the weaknesses of another.

In the case of supercapacitors, demonstrations also would help educate customers about the capabilities of supercapacitor storage. An objective of such a demonstration would be to increase demand and therefore help supercapacitors achieve economies of scale.

A superior response time and a high discharge rate are the primary reasons that supercapacitors are replacing lead-acid batteries in wind turbine pitch control applications and a combination of supercapacitor and Li-ion battery storage systems in grid storage applications .