Eaton supercapacitor modules are high reliability, high power, ultra-high capacitance energy storage devices utilizing electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) technology with  proprietary materials and processes. This combination of advanced technologies allows Eaton to offer a wide variety of supercapacitor solutions tailored to applications for backup power, peak power and hybrid power systems.

They can be applied as the sole energy storage or in combination with other energy storage technologies to optimize up front and operational costs, equipment lifetimes and power requirements for lowest total cost of ownership or higher return on investment. System capability can range from a watts to megawatts.

All modules are can be configured to higher voltages, power and energy as needed for specific applications. Modules are easy to configure, install and handle. Technical specifications feature low equivalent series resistance (ESR) for very high-power density and high efficiency. Eaton supercapacitors are maintenance-free with design lifetimes up to 20 years and operating temperatures down to -40 °C and up to +85 °C. They are constructed with eco-friendly materials for an environmentally conscious solution.

Ideal applications of supercapacitor modules range from power quality support, material handling systems, on road and off road heavy transportation, electric rail/traction, renewable distributed energy resource (DER) integration, microgrid and utility T&D. Supercapacitors provide unique benefits in each of these applications that are described in each section below.  The supercapacitor module guidelines application note  provides detailed information on Eaton’s supercapacitor module technology, operational characteristics, rating definitions and lifetime considerations. If there are additional questions on applying supercapacitors in your application, please contact us or your local Eaton sales representative for further application support.

Globalization has increased the need to move materials around the world, from large ISO containers at sea ports to small packages at regional/local warehouses.  Efficient use of power throughout these systems ensure logistics companies provide efficient and rapid service.  Using highly efficient supercapacitors can help reduce operational costs through regenerative systems for large material handling systems, such as port cranes.  Expanding e-commerce and the necessity to shorten delivery times to remain competitive has increase the need to develop distributed supply chains.  This is driving construction of warehouses with automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) using automated guided vehicles (AGVs), pallet or carton shuttles and other electrically powered equipment.  Rapid recharge and high-power density can help shrink footprints and longer lifetimes offer reduced maintenance costs.  

Material handling occurs in a variety of environments as well.  Outdoor systems can present challenging high temperature operating conditions for many electrochemical energy storage solutions while indoor freezer warehouses can render many battery technologies ineffective for pallet shuttles.  Supercapacitors offer operating temperatures from -40 °C up to +65 °C that can overcome these challenging conditions to either replace or augment battery systems to provide optimal performance in virtually all material handling environments.  

Supercapacitors are capable of flexible discharging to meet constant power, constant current or varying energy cycle requirements without any need to modify the configuration or resulting impact on lifetimes.   Examples of constant current and constant power are shown below.  Due to their low ESR, supercapacitors offer very high-power density which allows for high power discharging (C rate equivalent for batteries) over millions of cycles.  This can help reduce oversizing that is common with electrochemical energy storage, which can reduce energy storage footprints.  

Eaton’s supercapacitor sizing tool offers a rea time illustration of discharge characteristics after supercapacitors are sized to the application.   See tool here. 

Similarly, supercapacitors offer low restrictions on the charge rate they can accept without impacts on lifetime.  They can be charged just as fast as they are capable of discharging.   Quite often, the charging rate limitation is driven from the charging infrastructure in the overall power distribution scheme. 

For high duty cycle applications or constant cycling applications, heat rise should be considered.  Please see the charging section of the Application Guidelines for more information.