Supercapacitor vs. Battery Energy Storage for Grid Applications

When it comes to energy storage technology for grid applications, there are two main players on the field: supercapacitors and batteries. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and, like any good team, they work better in some situations than in others. So, we, the Flare Compare Team, have decided to pick apart their strengths, weaknesses and compare them to help you make an informed decision.

Supercapacitors

Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors, are energy storage devices that can store and release electrical energy much faster than batteries. Unlike batteries, which store energy chemically, supercapacitors store energy electrostatically. This makes them ideal for applications that require short, high bursts of power, such as electric vehicle acceleration or regenerative braking. They also have a longer lifespan, needing less maintenance and can work in a wider range of temperature conditions than batteries.

However, supercapacitors have a lower energy density than batteries, which means they can't store as much energy as batteries can. They also have higher self-discharge rates, which can lead to energy loss over time.

Batteries

Batteries, on the other hand, are more suitable for applications that require sustained, steady energy delivery, such as powering homes or businesses as they store chemical energy. They have a higher energy density than supercapacitors, which means they can store more energy. However, they have a shorter lifespan than supercapacitors, and their performance can degrade over time due to a phenomenon called battery aging.

Another advantage of batteries is their widespread availability and maturity in the market. They have been used as a primary source of energy storage for decades, making them a well-trusted and established technology.

Conclusion

Supercapacitors and batteries are both valuable energy storage technologies that are well-suited for specific applications. Choosing which one to use depends on the specific needs of the application. For example, if an application requires high-power bursts over short periods, supercapacitors would be the better choice. On the other hand, if the application requires sustained, steady energy delivery over longer periods, batteries would be a better choice.

In the end, the choice between supercapacitors and batteries is highly dependent on the application in which they are used, and using the right technology can lead to significant cost savings and performance improvements.

So, which one is the best for you? The answer is...it depends! But we hope we have provided helpful information to assist you in your decision-making process.

References

1. Burke, A. (2020). Supercapacitors: A Brief Overview. [online] Battery University. Available at: https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu_308_supercapacitors [Accessed 28 Jan. 2022].
2. Liu, Y., Li, T. and Li, D. (2018). Comparison of Supercapacitor and Battery in Electric Vehicles. IEEE Access, 6, pp.4535-4546.
3. Bao, X., Wang, F., Chen, S., Qu, Y. and Lu, L. (2019). Comparison of Supercapacitor and Battery in Energy Storage. Power Sources, 417, pp.45-52.