The brains over at MIT have been trying to come up with a replacement technology to the good old battery. For the most part batteries really haven’t changed much since Alessandro Volta came up with the basic battery back in 1800. Granted there are many new chemistries, new materials, shapes and sizes. Now what MIT [...]

Heliotron Energy over in Greece has been working on increasing the rather sad efficiency of Solar cells. The current efficiency rating is usually hovering around 12-14%. This however isn’t even going to come close to making a dent in our power supply needs.
Heliotron has been working hard and has actually hit a few milestones in [...]

Granted this news has been out amongst the web since the end of February, I just now read it. Now I know the title of this sounds like a new joke from Larry the Cable Guy. However it is actually a fairly apt description of a new device that was showed at the Cleantech Forum [...]

Silicon-lead batteries are a newer technology that uses a silicon compound electrolyte. Designed to charge faster and work better in cold environments this technology has a lot of potential. Currently there is only one manufacturer of this type of battery. Greensaver Tech Co., Ltd. As this technology becomes more stable and a larger market share, [...]

• Linear discharge voltage prevents use of the full energy spectrum.
• Low energy density - typically holds one-fifth to one-tenth the energy of an electrochemical battery.
• Cells have low voltages - serial connections are needed to obtain higher voltages. Voltage balancing is required if more than three capacitors are connected in series.
• High self-discharge - the rate is considerably [...]

• Virtually unlimited cycle life - can be cycled millions of time.
• Low impedance - enhances load handling when put in paralleled with a battery.
• Rapid charging -Supercapacitors charge in seconds.
• Simple charge methods - no full-charge detection is needed; no danger of overcharge.

The supercapacitor resembles a regular capacitor with the exception that it offers very high capacitance in a small package. Energy storage is by means of static charge rather than of an electro-chemical process that is inherent to the battery. Applying a voltage differential on the positive and negative plates charges the supercapacitor.
This concept is similar [...]

The lead-acid battery was invented by a French physician named Gaston Planté in 1859. Lead-Acid was the first commercial rechargeable battery. Today, flooded lead-acid batteries hold the primary position in automobiles, forklifts, and UPS systems for computers. In the mid 70’s, researchers developed a maintenance-free lead-acid battery that can be operated in any position. The [...]

• Low energy density - poor weight-to-energy ratio limits use to stationary and wheeled applications.
• Cannot be stored in a discharged condition - the cell voltage should never drop below 2.10V.
• Allows only a limited number of full discharge cycles - well suited for standby applications that require only occasional deep discharges.
• Lead content and electrolyte make the battery [...]

• Inexpensive and simple to manufacture.
• Mature, reliable and well-understood technology - when used correctly, lead-acid is durable and provides dependable service.
• The self-discharge is among the lowest of rechargeable battery systems.
• Low maintenance requirements - no memory; no electrolyte to fill on sealed version.
• Capable of high discharge rates.