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Search results for: โ€œsupercapacitorsโ€

  • Energy storage: batteries versus supercapacitors?

    Energy storage: batteries versus supercapacitors?

    Supercapacitors may eclipse lithium ion batteries in the hybridization of transport and industry. Their energy density is improving. Potential CO2 savings could surpass 1bn tons per year. IRRs of 10-50% can be achieved, even prior to CO2 prices. These are our conclusions after reviewing 2,000 Western patents. We profile the leading companies exposed to the…

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  • Supercapacitors: case studies for renewable-heavy grids?

    Supercapacitors: case studies for renewable-heavy grids?

    Supercapacitors are well suited to smoothing short-term volatility in increasingly renewables-heavy grids. Typical systems are 10kW-10MW, 1M chage-discharge cycles, 5-30 seconds storage and $30/kW costs. Expect the market to surprise to the upside, especially in combination with other power-electronics. Who benefits?

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  • Energy storage: top conclusions into batteries?

    Energy storage: top conclusions into batteries?

    Thunder Said Energy is a research firm focused on economic opportunities that can drive the energy transition. Our top ten conclusions into batteries and energy storage are summarized below, looking across all of our research.

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  • Battery Patents: Lithium Leaders and New Breakthroughs?

    Battery Patents: Lithium Leaders and New Breakthroughs?

    Continued deflation in lithium ion batteries is suggested by a new record of 26,000 patents filed in 2019, hence this data-file identifies the technology leaders. Elsewhere, redox flow batteries patents have doubled since 2014, while interest has been waning in solid state batteries (-57% since 2014) and liquid metal batteries (-67%).

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  • Lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles: what challenges?

    Lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles: what challenges?

    This data-file tabulates the greatest challenges for lithium ion batteries in electric vehicles, which have been cited in 2020’s patent literature. Conclusions are spelled out in detail, covering energy density, “million mile” longevity and electric semi-trucks. Companies profiled include Tesla, CATL, LG, Sumitomo, et al.

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  • Solar volatility: tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies?

    Solar volatility: tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies?

    This 20-page note quantifies the statistical distribution of short-term volatility at solar power plants. Solar output typically flickers downwards by over 10%, around 100 times per day. Can industrial processes truly be โ€˜powered by solarโ€™? What opportunities will arise to buffer the volatility?

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  • Energy of rotation: angular momentum, inertia and flywheels?

    Energy of rotation: angular momentum, inertia and flywheels?

    This data-file calculates the energy stored in rotating masses. This includes 50Wh – 100 kWh flywheels. In power grids, the angular momentum of large rotating generators is known as ‘inertia’ and can run from 30kWh to 30MWH per turbine. Inertia has historically been a crucial part of stabilizing grids. Hence how do the physics work?…

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  • Power grids: opportunities in the energy transition?

    Power grids: opportunities in the energy transition?

    Power grids move electricity from the point of generation to the point of use, while aiming to maximize the power quality, minimize costs and minimize losses. Broadly defined, global power grids and power electronics investment must step up 5x in the energy transition, from a $750bn pa market to over $3.5trn pa. But this theme…

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  • Data center energy: caps lock?

    Data center energy: caps lock?

    Everybody knows “AI data centers use round-the-clock power”. Yet one of the biggest power challenges for AI data data centers is precisely that they do not use round-the-clock power. They incur large load transients that cannot be handled by batteries, power grids or most generation. This 15-page report explores data center load profiles, which may…

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