Due to appreciably tightened CO2 emission regulations, the automotive industry is constantly under pressure to find more efficient drive concepts. On the one hand, hybrid and electric vehicles are noticeably gaining market share. On the other hand, automotive engineers are more than ever required to develop consumption-optimized vehicles, but in doing so to satisfy the constant trend for greater performance and comfort. Here, the increasing electrification of vehicle systems is a decisive step. This leads inevitably to greatly increasing energy and power demands in vehicles.
Here the advantages of ultracapacitors over traditional batteries can play a role. As long-lasting, reliable and very deep cycle energy stores of high power density, they are predestined for applications such as regenerative braking, start-stop systems, drive-by-wire systems such as electrical steering, electrical braking and active chassis as well as solutions for voltage stabilization and peak load cover in future on-board vehicle networks.
Start-stop
Start-stop systems are becoming increasingly established in modern vehicles. They achieve considerable fuel savings and reductions in emissions. Ultracapacitors supply the necessary high currents for the smooth starting of the engine. Thereby the vehicle battery is subjected to considerably lower loads.
Regenerative braking
Here, kinetic energy is stored during braking and then discharged when the vehicle accelerates enabling the re-use of the captured energy. Through such systems, the fuel consumption can be significantly reduced. Thanks to their high power density and excellent efficiency, ultracapacitors are ideally suited to this application.
Boardnet voltage stabilization
The boardnet must be capable of providing the energy and power requirements of an ever-increasing number of electrical loads. Today, therefore, on-board networks of higher voltage are used. Ultracapacitors are used in order to stabilize the boardnet voltage and to deal with transient processes. They supply the necessary short-term high currents and together with the vehicle battery form a robust complete system.
Peak power assist for high power functions
In many cases batteries are not capable of dealing with the power requirements of today’s electrical and electro-mechanical vehicle systems. Systems such as electrical steering, electrical braking and chassis also require short-time high power. Ultracapacitors close this gap by providing the necessary peak loads.
Power assistance for Hybrid Electric Vehicles
With mild or fully hybrid vehicles, ultracapacitors can significantly reduce the load on batteries and thereby increase the battery service life.
Power assistance for Hybrid Electric Vehicles
With mild or fully hybrid vehicles, ultracapacitors can significantly reduce the load on batteries and thereby increase the battery service life.
