The diagram depicts a plug-and-play system where the ultracapacitors act as a buffer to carry the peak and RMS energy from the wave power profile and to the grid, resulting in a higher RMS power grid profile. Thanks to the ultracapacitor bank this extra energy is used, otherwise, it would simply not reach the grid.
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* Some inverter and energy management system limitations might apply.
The answer is electrification and hybridization of propulsion systems. Hybrid ships and boats have a conventional (typically diesel) fossil fuel engine and an electric motor, but when the electric motor is in use, no diesel is burned nor greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere.
There are a number of applications on vessels where ultracapacitors can offer significant advantages:
The benefits of energy storage in marine applications are clear:
Almost all power profiles are dynamic - in addition to the base power, a short period of peak power has to be covered. Ultracapacitors are the ideal method to fill the gap between base and peak loads.
CASE: 1 MW VARIABLE-SPEED DIESEL GENERATOR
Base load: 300 kW
Peak load: 1 000 kW
Generators typically have poor step response, which results in:
In addition, non-optimal operating area for generators increases fuel consumption and emissions.
By using ultracapacitors you can decrease the number of generators needed and cut down on running hours and maintenance costs.
Generators can typically handle step changes up to 30%, and over three times the number of extra generators are needed in reserve to cover peak power.
It's not unusual to run
Ultracapacitors can smooth the power gradient and reduce the required generator reserve significantly.
Example: 7 MW Drawworks
Using ultracapacitors enables:
Load transfer between shaft generators and auxiliary generators can be dangerous in demanding conditions, leading to:
Ultracapacitor energy storage provides safe and effective load transfer between the shaft and auxiliary generators by operating as dynamic energy storage used to synchronize unstable supply.
Using ultracapacitors enables:
Active heave compensation is an application where ultracapacitors shine. The high power, high number of lifecycles, practically instant charging and discharging, high reliability, and tolerance for extreme weather conditions provide great benefits.
Electric motors can be used at low speed locations such as harbors or at other times when high power is not necessary.
Electric motors emit no greenhouse gasses and significantly reduce the combined emissions of marine vessels.
Ultracapacitor-based energy storage systems have a significantly longer lifetime and are more reliable than traditional li-ion batteries. Ultracapacitors also work together with batteries to by reducing the strain engine starting causes on batteries, thus increasing their lifetime and reliability.
