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Energy optimization of supercapacitors and solar battery energy storage
Giglio, Sophia
Giglio, Sophia
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2025-04
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Solar batteries are currently the most commonly used energy storage device for solar panel energy. The downsides of solar batteries though are their limited lifespan, need for maintenance over those years, and negative environmental impacts from disposing of the batteries. An alternative storage option would be supercapacitors. Supercapacitors are known for their longer lifespans, recyclability, and incredibly high charging rates. Their downside though is that with these high charging speeds, they also have high discharging speeds, not allowing for a lot of storage capability. Supercapacitors have a lot of varying factors determined by the materials that they are made from. The two main types are electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs), or graphene-based, and pseudocapacitors, or non-graphene-based. The goal of this research project is to determine from the three options - solar batteries, graphene-based supercapacitors, or non-graphene-based supercapacitors - what is the most efficient method to store solar energy. To achieve this goal, methods used in this project were online research to complete the Research Learning Outcomes (RLOs). All of the calculations are based on sustaining a 2000 square foot house that runs only on solar energy. Energy costs were calculated for obtaining materials and manufacturing each product. Charge and discharge rates were also calculated for each method. Each storage device has its pros and cons. What is being highly considered today is a hybrid between EDLCs, pseudocapacitors, and batteries. The benefits of this combination are maximizing energy and power density and minimizing energy costs.
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