The Future of Electric Energy Storage?

[ShowmeThemoney]

An interesting read.

 

[Prudent]

Lithium-Ion batteries are the most efficient way to store electricity today, but I suspect we will find that there are even better technologies down the road.

In fact, my original reason for moving to Silicon Valley about a dozen years ago, before I got distracted by the Internet, was to do a Ph.D. at Stanford in the physics and materials science of high-energy density capacitors, specifically for electric vehicle applications.

Prior to that, I had worked for two summers at a small company called Pinnacle Research, which focused on ultra-capacitors.

Capacitors have the advantages of a quasi-infinite cycle and calendar life, extremely low charge/discharge losses, and charge times measured in minutes (if you have high voltage and thick wire) for a car-size pack.

If the capacitor energy density problem is solved, the gasoline vs. electric car contest goes from being a contestable fight to gasoline getting the Wrestling Smackdown.

Ethanol, Ethanol Everywhere, Time to Stop and Think

 

[Art Mann]

A Prudent first post. Welcome to the board.

 

[DannyDeVito]

Lithium-Ion batteries are the most efficient way to store electricity today, but I suspect we will find that there are even better technologies down the road.

In fact, my original reason for moving to Silicon Valley about a dozen years ago, before I got distracted by the Internet, was to do a Ph.D. at Stanford in the physics and materials science of high-energy density capacitors, specifically for electric vehicle applications.

Prior to that, I had worked for two summers at a small company called Pinnacle Research, which focused on ultra-capacitors.

Capacitors have the advantages of a quasi-infinite cycle and calendar life, extremely low charge/discharge losses, and charge times measured in minutes (if you have high voltage and thick wire) for a car-size pack.

If the capacitor energy density problem is solved, the gasoline vs. electric car contest goes from being a contestable fight to gasoline getting the Wrestling Smackdown.

Ethanol, Ethanol Everywhere, Time to Stop and Think

:SayWhat?: :good:

 

[WhiteLion]

A Prudent first post. Welcome to the board.

Second that and hope to hear from you more often.

 

[shakenbake]

Lithium-Ion batteries are the most efficient way to store electricity today, but I suspect we will find that there are even better technologies down the road.

In fact, my original reason for moving to Silicon Valley about a dozen years ago, before I got distracted by the Internet, was to do a Ph.D. at Stanford in the physics and materials science of high-energy density capacitors, specifically for electric vehicle applications.

Prior to that, I had worked for two summers at a small company called Pinnacle Research, which focused on ultra-capacitors.

Capacitors have the advantages of a quasi-infinite cycle and calendar life, extremely low charge/discharge losses, and charge times measured in minutes (if you have high voltage and thick wire) for a car-size pack.

If the capacitor energy density problem is solved, the gasoline vs. electric car contest goes from being a contestable fight to gasoline getting the Wrestling Smackdown.

Ethanol, Ethanol Everywhere, Time to Stop and Think

Of course, there is always the option to use another energy carrier in the form of hydrogen or liquefied ammonia. The energy storage densities of these energy carriers are far higher than even a lithium polymer cell. See, for example, https://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Energy_density. One drawback for hydrogen, however, the Achilles heel, is a distribution infrastructure. However, if ammonia can be used with a suitable reformer, then a fuel cell vehicle would be superior to a battery-powered electric vehicle.

I don't believe that the drive train would be different for a fuel cell vehicle versus a battery powered one. However, there are definitely differences in balance-of-plant componentry.

 

[Wanker]

Of course, there is always the option to use another energy carrier in the form of hydrogen or liquefied ammonia. The energy storage densities of these energy carriers are far higher than even a lithium polymer cell. See, for example, https://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Energy_density. One drawback for hydrogen, however, the Achilles heel, is a distribution infrastructure. However, if ammonia can be used with a suitable reformer, then a fuel cell vehicle would be superior to a battery-powered electric vehicle.

I don't believe that the drive train would be different for a fuel cell vehicle versus a battery powered one. However, there are definitely differences in balance-of-plant componentry.

Brains at work :YMAPPLAUSE:

 

[User-E]

Lithium-Ion batteries are the most efficient way to store electricity today, but I suspect we will find that there are even better technologies down the road.

In fact, my original reason for moving to Silicon Valley about a dozen years ago, before I got distracted by the Internet, was to do a Ph.D. at Stanford in the physics and materials science of high-energy density capacitors, specifically for electric vehicle applications.

Prior to that, I had worked for two summers at a small company called Pinnacle Research, which focused on ultra-capacitors.

Capacitors have the advantages of a quasi-infinite cycle and calendar life, extremely low charge/discharge losses, and charge times measured in minutes (if you have high voltage and thick wire) for a car-size pack.

If the capacitor energy density problem is solved, the gasoline vs. electric car contest goes from being a contestable fight to gasoline getting the Wrestling Smackdown.

Ethanol, Ethanol Everywhere, Time to Stop and Think

A Prudent first post. Welcome to the board.

Second that and hope to hear from you more often.

Of course, there is always the option to use another energy carrier in the form of hydrogen or liquefied ammonia. The energy storage densities of these energy carriers are far higher than even a lithium polymer cell. See, for example, https://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Energy_density. One drawback for hydrogen, however, the Achilles heel, is a distribution infrastructure. However, if ammonia can be used with a suitable reformer, then a fuel cell vehicle would be superior to a battery-powered electric vehicle.

I don't believe that the drive train would be different for a fuel cell vehicle versus a battery powered one. However, there are definitely differences in balance-of-plant componentry.

Brains at work :YMAPPLAUSE:

Many sapiosexual members here at HUBGFE./-Thumbs-up::/

Years ago when I first started posting on the BC boards, I used to get harassed for posting intellectual articles! :biggrin2:

 

[anon1]

sapiosexual

now you're just showing off.

 

[User-E]

now you're just showing off.

Art Mann is my inspiration. :wink2:

 

[shakenbake]

Brains at work :YMAPPLAUSE:

Thank you! We on this board collectively have a great deal of intellect and I am happy to be a part of it.