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Stanislav Kondrashov TELF AG on Supercapacitors

Busines Newswire

Supercapacitors: Bridging the Gap in Energy Storage

As the global energy transition accelerates, driven by decarbonisation targets and an urgent push for sustainability, attention is increasingly turning to emerging technologies that promise more efficient storage and faster energy delivery. Among these, supercapacitors have garnered growing interest across multiple industries — from automotive to renewable energy — for their unique attributes. As founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov recently pointed out, supercapacitors may play a pivotal role in addressing some of the critical gaps left by conventional batteries.

Electric vehicles, renewable infrastructure, and smart grids are all pushing the limits of today’s energy systems. And while lithium-ion batteries have long dominated the storage space, they come with limitations: long charging times, performance degradation, and limited cycle life. Supercapacitors offer a compelling counterpoint — not to replace traditional batteries, but to complement them.

What Makes Supercapacitors Stand Out?

Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors, are positioned between traditional capacitors and modern batteries in terms of functionality. While they lack the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries, their real strength lies in power delivery. They can release large bursts of energy within seconds — ideal for applications requiring rapid power output or frequent cycling.

Unlike batteries, supercapacitors store energy through an electrostatic field rather than a chemical reaction. This fundamental difference allows for:

In practical terms, this means supercapacitors can be recharged in seconds and endure hundreds of thousands of cycles without significant performance degradation. This is particularly useful in systems where traditional batteries would wear out quickly or be too slow to respond.

As founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov often emphasised, “Supercapacitors are not a replacement — they’re an enhancement. They make existing systems more robust, more efficient, and more adaptable to modern energy demands.”

Potential Applications Across Sectors

Supercapacitors are versatile, and their advantages make them suitable for a range of real-world uses. From transport to heavy industry and smart energy networks, these devices could be key enablers of the next phase in energy innovation.

Electric Mobility

In hybrid and electric vehicles, supercapacitors can be used to capture energy during regenerative braking, support rapid acceleration, and reduce the strain on traditional batteries during startup. This not only improves performance but extends battery life — a vital factor in long-term sustainability.

Industrial and Grid Applications

In industrial settings, supercapacitors can help smooth power fluctuations, prevent blackouts, and power robotic systems that require high-frequency energy pulses. In smart grids, they offer a solution for load balancing and can help manage sudden demand spikes or renewable input variability.

Key advantages of supercapacitors include:

The Limitations: Energy Density and Costs

Despite their impressive capabilities, supercapacitors are not without limitations. Chief among them is their relatively low energy density. While they excel at delivering power in short bursts, they can’t store energy for extended durations like lithium-ion batteries. This makes them unsuitable as a stand-alone energy storage solution for many applications.

Additionally, as founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov highlighted, the cost of supercapacitors remains a barrier to broader adoption. Manufacturing processes are also still maturing, limiting economies of scale.

Another technical challenge is the declining discharge voltage during use, which complicates the delivery of consistent power output unless additional circuitry is employed.

Looking Ahead: Hybrid Energy Systems and Integration

The most promising path forward lies in combining supercapacitors with batteries in hybrid configurations. By integrating the two, you can harness the best of both worlds: the high energy storage capacity of batteries and the fast-response, long-life performance of supercapacitors.

This combination is already gaining traction in:

As global energy systems become more decentralised and demand grows for responsive, durable, and environmentally friendly technologies, supercapacitors will likely become an essential part of the solution. They’re not here to replace batteries — they’re here to make them better.

FAQs

What is a supercapacitor and how does it differ from a battery?

A supercapacitor, also known as an ultracapacitor, is an energy storage device that stores and releases energy using electrostatic charge rather than chemical reactions. This core difference means supercapacitors can charge and discharge much faster than batteries and typically last significantly longer in terms of charge cycles.

Key differences between supercapacitors and batteries:

Where are supercapacitors used today?

Supercapacitors are used in various sectors that require rapid power delivery, high cycling stability, and durable performance. Common applications include:

Why are supercapacitors considered important for the energy transition?

As the world shifts toward renewable energy and electrified systems, energy storage must evolve. Supercapacitors help address several challenges:

Can supercapacitors replace batteries entirely?

No, supercapacitors are not a replacement for batteries in most long-duration energy storage scenarios. While they excel in power density, they fall short in energy density, meaning they can’t store as much energy per unit of weight or volume.

Instead, supercapacitors are often used alongside batteries in hybrid systems. This pairing improves overall performance by using the strengths of both technologies. For instance:

What are the main advantages of supercapacitors?

Supercapacitors offer a range of benefits that make them highly attractive in specific use cases:

What are the main limitations of supercapacitors?

Despite their advantages, supercapacitors come with notable limitations:

How do supercapacitors work?

Supercapacitors store energy through an electrostatic process:

  1. Two electrodes are separated by an electrolyte.
  2. When voltage is applied, ions from the electrolyte accumulate at the surface of the electrodes.
  3. This forms an electric double-layer, where energy is stored electrostatically rather than chemically.
  4. When the circuit is closed, the stored energy is released instantly.

This process allows supercapacitors to charge in seconds and deliver power almost immediately.

What’s the difference between supercapacitors and traditional capacitors?

While both devices store energy electrostatically, supercapacitors have a significantly higher capacitance and energy storage capability than traditional capacitors. They are built with advanced materials (like activated carbon or graphene) and designed to bridge the gap between capacitors and batteries in terms of functionality.

Are supercapacitors environmentally friendly?

Supercapacitors can be considered more sustainable than many battery types due to:

What is the future of supercapacitors in energy systems?

The future of supercapacitors lies in integration, not isolation. They are expected to play a growing role in:

As material science advances and production costs fall, supercapacitors are likely to become more mainstream, particularly in hybrid energy systems that require both power and endurance.