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Advantages and Limitations of Super (Ultra) Capacitors Print E-mail

5.3  Advantages & Limitations

    • Batteries can take from one to several hours to charge. A supercapacitor can be charged in a few seconds.

    • Secondary batteries can only be recharged up to about 1,000 times. Supercapacitors have an operating life possibly in excess of 30,000 hours. Check this figure. How many times can it be charged/discharged?

    • Compared to secondary batteries, supercapacitors can absorb and release energy at a much higher rate.

    • Compared to secondary batteries, supercapacitors have a very low internal resistance.

    • Honda has produced an ultracapacitor capable of providing an output density of not less than 1,750W/kg, nearly twice that of a nickel hydride battery used in their hybrid vehicles.

    • For its weight the energy stored in a supercapacitor is low. A battery of the same weight storing 10-25 times more energy.

    • Supercapacitors are an emerging technology. See Green Cars, Section 10 (Web Site Links) for up to date and additional information.
 
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