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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Perspective on ultracapacitors for electric vehicles

Conference ·
OSTI ID:69719
;  [1]
  1. Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Recent advances in performance of chemical double layer capacitors (DLC) with aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes have made it possible to seriously consider them for commercialization. Non-aqueous (organic) carbon based laboratory monopolar devices have recently met key US Department of Energy (DOE) mid-term specifications (> 5 W{center_dot}h/kg, > 500 W/kg and > 100,000 life cycles) for load-leveling electric vehicles batteries. All DLC technologies currently under development by DOE are discussed. Each technology has distinct advantages and none are clear winners at this time. A study has been completed by the General Electric Company on the interface electronics needed to best utilize the energy of capacitors while load-leveling batteries. System costs are presented based on this study, several battery technologies, and capacitor projections.

DOE Contract Number:
AC07-94ID13223
OSTI ID:
69719
Report Number(s):
CONF-950121--; ISBN 0-7803-2459-5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English