Maxwell Ultracapacitor Backup Power Solutions
With their long operational lifetime with little or no maintenance, stable operation at extreme temperatures (-40C to +65C), , ultracapacitors are supporting improved solutions for applications that need instantly available backup power in the event of grid power disturbances or outages. Examples include uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, low-voltage emergency lighting and board-mounted backup in solid state disk drives (SSD) used in enterprise computing systems. Additionally, their ability to charge and discharge in as little as fractions of a second means higher availability due to charging or conditioning of batteries.
Maxwell Ultracapacitor UPS Products:
Maxwell offers one of the most comprehensive ultracapacitor product lines for the wind energy industry.
- D Cells
Assembled onto printed circuit boards and packaged into a module, cells can be configured for a variety of operating voltages and lower power UPS.
- HTM125 Module
Operating at 125V, in a ruggedized case with digital monitoring, the HTM125 provides the most sophisticated backup power solution usable in any environmental conditions.
- 48V Module
Copy is needed here
Maxwell Ultracapacitor Regenerative Power Solutions
In regenerative systems, energy is captured and re-used at a later time. The energy capture can be from a vehicle braking system to the controlled drop of a shipping container to shaving the peak from a wind turbine, the grid or a solar panel. This energy is subsequently used in acceleration, a lifting operation or to prevent an electrical dropout. These events are typically short duration (seconds to a few minutes) but very high power.Ultracapacitors provide the best solution as the energy storage device for these applications. With their high power capability, ultracapacitors are more efficient at recapturing and storing energy, especially when it comes in bursts.In an electric or hybrid application, regenerative braking is the conversion of kinetic energy into energy stored in a battery or an ultracapacitor, where it can be used later to power a vehicle, forklift, crane or any application where a burst of power is required. It is braking because it also serves to slow the application process. It is regenerative because the energy is recaptured in the battery or ultracapacitor where it can be used again.In a regenerative braking system, the electric motor that is responsible for all or part of an electric or hybrid’s propulsion also does most of the braking. When the operator steps on the brake pedal, instead of activating a conventional friction-based braking process, it sends an electronic signal to the electric motor, directing it to run in reverse mode, which creates resistance to slow the application through a process that is analogous to down-shifting a standard transmission vehicle. An electric motor running backwards also acts as an electric energy generator or dynamo that can convert the kinetic energy of motion into electrical energy that can be stored for future use. As an added bonus, regenerative braking with an electric motor takes most of the load off mechanical brakes, reducing brake maintenance and replacement expense.Everyone is driven to reduce fossil fuel consumption and want to stimulate the development of cleaner, greener technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase productivity. Most applications have electrochemical rechargeable batteries based on nickel or lithium chemistries that have some inherent characteristics that limit batteries’ efficiency and their suitability for the hybrid or electric application energy storage role. These include low power density, impaired performance at low temperatures and finite operational life:
Maxwell Ultracapacitor Transportation Products:
Maxwell Technologies offers the most comprehensive ultracapacitor product line for the transportation industry. The time for efficient and environmentally-friendly energy storage and management has come and Maxwell’s ultracapacitor solutions have proven themselves to fulfill this requirement.
- 125V Heavy Transportation Module
This module stores more energy per unit volume, delivers more power per unit volume and weight, and lasts longer than any other commercially-available ultracapacitor solution. Especially designed for vehicles requiring the highest power performance available with shock and vibration immunity. (Hybrid buses and trucks)
- 48V Ultracapacitor Module
This module provides efficient cooling and a maximum continuous current of 90A without compromising reliability. Used primarily with hybrid buses and train engine starting systems.
- 16V Ultracapacitor Module
Engine starting systems for buses.
- K2 Ultracapacitor Cells
A solution for hybrid train systems where the ultracapacitor is integrated into custom modules.
Maxwell Ultracapacitor Burst Power Solutions
Available in a range of sizes and modular configurations, our BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitors bring new levels of efficiency and power to a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics, hybrid cars, and renewable energy sources. Our proprietary electrode and global manufacturing facilities allow us to deliver unsurpassed value, keeping costs down while tailoring performance to specific customer requirements.Rely on award-winning BOOSTCAP® products for a proven lifespan of one million recharge cycles—even in extreme environments—helping you reduce maintenance costs while adding value to other power sources
Maxwell Ultracapacitor Automotive Products:
Maxwell Technologies offers the most comprehensive ultracapacitor product line for the transportation industry.
- D Cell
Typically used in boardnet stabilization applications. - K2 Cell
Cells are assembled into modules and multiple module strings as standalone solutions for stop-start and mild hybrids or in battery combinations for electric/full hybrids. Also used in boardnet stabilization for very high power requirements. - HC Series (2.7V DC, 5F to 150F)
Can be used in low power boardnet stabilization applications or as back-up storage. - 48V Module (16.2V DC, 110F to 500F)
Used in mild hybrids as standalone energy storage.
Maxwell Ultracapacitor Quick Charge Solutions
Rechargeable energy storage technology has created many options for powering more convenient and efficient cordless, handheld and other portable devices and remotely located stationary devices, such as:
- Power tools
- Flashlights
- Toothbrushes and other health and beauty devices
- Kitchen appliances
- Industrial scanning devices
- Retail transaction processing devices
- Solar powered illuminated road signs
- Solar powered roadside emergency communication systems
Where batteries have been the energy storage of choice, they are not always the best choice for an application. For example, batteries have high energy density, but generally require hours to recharge, whereas ultracapacitors have comparatively low energy density but can fully charge in seconds or a few minutes.To further illustrate these tradeoffs, consider the example of a homeowner who occasionally uses a cordless drill or screwdriver for projects around the house. If it is battery-powered and hasn’t been charged recently, the homeowner likely will find that it needs to be charged for a few hours before it can be used, but then will operate for an hour or more. If it is ultracapacitor-powered, it will need to be charged for only a minute or so to operate for several minutes to drill a few holes or drive a few screws.In the case of a solar-powered, remotely-located, LED-illuminated sign or roadside emergency telephone, batteries would have to be replaced at regular intervals to ensure reliable operation, whereas ultracapacitors could be charged a million or more times and continue performing reliably without replacement. The quick charge capability of ultracapacitors also allows more efficient storage as they can accept charge as quickly as the sun comes and goes.A broad area of application requiring quick charge is energy harvesting. Energy harvesting devices capture excess energy from everyday movements. Examples include energy capture when a door closes or when someone sits down in a chair. This energy can then be re-used for other purposes (for example, power local lights or put into a building electrical system).So if rapid charging and long life are priorities, ultracapacitors could be the power source of choice.
Maxwell Ultracapacitors for Consumer Products (all are UL registered):
Maxwell Technologies offers the most comprehensive ultracapacitor product line for consumer products.
- PC10
The PC Series (2.5V DC, 10F) is ideal for using in consumer electronics and wireless transmission that requires more energy per unit volume, deliver more power per unit volume and weight and performs longer.
- HC Series (2.7V DC, 5F to 150F)
Typical applications include consumer electronics and portable power tools.
Maxwell Ultracapacitor Cold Starting Solutions
Most everyone has experienced that rrr-click sound when a vehicle battery can’t muster enough power to turn the engine over and get it started. Cold weather, multiple electrical loads competing for energy at the same time or normal wear and tear can rob a battery of its cranking power, stranding a vehicle and its passengers or cargo without warning.Ultracapacitors, with their exceptionally high power density even at very low temperatures, can eliminate that problem and guarantee a quick, reliable start regardless of temperature, other electrical demands or battery age. That’s because, unlike batteries, which rely on a chemical reaction to generate energy and deliver cranking power, ultracapacitors store energy electrostatically and can reliably deliver the quick burst of power required to start a vehicle whenever it’s needed. Ultracapacitors re-charge battery or any other electrical energy source. As a matter of fact, ultracapacitors can trickle charge from a battery that is too weak or too cold to deliver sufficient power to start a vehicle and accumulate enough energy to start the engine.Now that ultracapacitors have entered the energy storage mainstream and are being cost-effectively mass produced, vehicle designers for cars, trucks, buses, snow mobiles and boats are integrating Maxwell ultracapacitors with batteries in new electrical system architectures that eliminate starting failures, even at temperatures as low as -40°. The modest additional cost of incorporating an ultracapacitor module and associated power electronics can be partially or completely offset by reducing the size, weight and cost of the batteries, eliminating heavy, expensive cabling and by eliminating the cost of jump starts and loss of productivity from dead vehicles. Automakers and Tier 1 suppliers to the auto industry have designed ultracapacitor-assisted starting systems that are moving into production, and many of Maxwell’s customers have built jump starting systems or cold engine start systems for busses and other vehicles.
Maxwell Ultracapacitor Transportation Products:
Maxwell Technologies offers the most comprehensive ultracapacitor product line for the transportation industry. The time for efficient and environmentally-friendly energy storage and management has come and Maxwell’s ultracapacitor solutions have proven themselves to fulfill this requirement.
- 125V Heavy Transportation Module
This module stores more energy per unit volume, delivers more power per unit volume and weight, and lasts longer than any other commercially-available ultracapacitor solution. Especially designed for vehicles requiring the highest power performance available with shock and vibration immunity. (Hybrid buses and trucks)
- 48V Ultracapacitor Module
This module provides efficient cooling and a maximum continuous current of 90A without compromising reliability. Used primarily with hybrid buses and train engine starting systems.
- 16V Ultracapacitor Module
Engine starting systems for buses.
- K2 Ultracapacitor Cells
A solution for hybrid train systems where the ultracapacitor is integrated into custom modules.
