The CSIRO is continuing development on a hybrid energy storage device that combines a supercapacitor with a lead acid battery in one unit cell, called the UltraBattery.
Developed as part of the Energy Transformed Flagship research program, the UltraBattery has can be used for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and in the future, providing energy storage for applications such as off grid solar power systems and grid connected wind and solar farms for grid stability and load levelling purposes.
According to the CSIRO, the UltraBattery has a cycle life four times longer than conventional deep cycle batteries, offers 50 per cent more power than lead acid batteries counterparts, is approximately 70 per cent less expensive than current HEV battery systems and features faster charge and discharge rates.
Testing already performed in the UK with a HEV has seen the battery surpass 160 000 kilometres.
Field tests for the wind energy storage application are being conducted at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia on three 20kW wind turbines and a 20kW photovoltaic array at the site.
CSIRO is continuing to improve UltraBattery technology with view to making it lighter and more efficient for HEVs.
CSIRO has signed an UltraBattery commercialisation and distribution agreement with Japan’s Furukawa Battery Company and United States manufacturer, East Penn Manufacturing Co. East Penn was a recent recipient of battery technology funding from US President Barack Obama.
Surprisingly, the UltraBattery is not yet licensed in Australia for automotive applications. CSIRO is accepting expressions of interest for manufacture and distribution in Australia. The UltraBattery is expected to be available commercially for hybrid vehicle applications elsewhere this year and for general energy storage within the next couple of years.
