Energy Storage Module Research Articles

A novel wind energy harvesting system with hybrid mechanism for self-powered applications in subway tunnels

With the rapid development of urban rail transit, the safety maintenance of subway tunnels has attracted attention in various countries. Tunnel safety monitoring systems are used to ensure the safety of subway operation. This paper presents a new type of self-powered system for WSN nodes in tunnels to solve the power supply problem in subway tunnel safety monitoring systems. This new self-powered system collects wind energy in subway tunnels and converts it into electrical energy for storage and utilization. The system is composed of three parts: electromagnetic wind energy acquisition module, piezoelectric wind energy acquisition module, and power generation energy storage module. The electromagnetic wind energy acquisition module uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to convert wind energy into electrical energy. The piezoelectric wind energy acquisition module uses piezoelectric patches to convert wind energy into electrical energy. The power generation energy storage module converts the collected AC power into DC power, stores it in the supercapacitor, and supplies power to the WSN nodes. Experimental data shows that the energy output power of the system at a wind speed of 7 m/s is 59.31 mW. The Chengdu subway line 2 was selected for case study; the energy consumed by WSN nodes accounts for 49.4%–59.8% of the energy collected by the system. The proposed system can provide continuous and stable power for WSN node systems in subway tunnels.

A High‐Efficiency, Portable Solar Energy‐Harvesting System Based on a Foldable‐Wings Mechanism for Self‐Powered Applications in Railways

With the rapid development of railways, sensors, signal lights and other rail‐side applications are being used to increase the safety of trains. The source of electricity for rail‐side applications remains a problem. In this study, a portable solar energy harvesting system (SEHS) is developed to supply power for rail‐side applications. The designed system can be used as a temporary or permanent power supply due to its portability. The proposed system is composed of two main parts: a solar foldable‐wings module (SFWM), and an energy storage module. The photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the solar energy into electricity, and the generated electricity is stored in supercapacitors which supply power to rail‐side applications. The Beijing–Tangshan Inter‐City Railway is selected for a case study. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the annual power generation of the SEHS can be up to 673,994 kWh. We conducted solar radiation simulation experiments on the proposed system in the laboratory using a solar simulator. Experiments show that the maximum output power of the proposed SEHS is 10.934 W when the prototype is loaded with 5 Ω, indicating that the proposed system would be able to supply power for rail‐side applications as a permanent power source or a temporary power source.

A novel road energy harvesting system based on a spatial double V-shaped mechanism for near-zero-energy toll stations on expressways

To replace traditional energy sources, researchers are exploring renewable energy technologies. With the continued development of cities, the number of expressways and toll stations in China has increased rapidly. Meanwhile, the expressway toll stations have great potential for kinetic energy scavenging for electronic accessories. This paper presents a novel road energy harvesting system (REHS) based on a spatial double V-shaped mechanism for self-powering small electronic accessories in near-zero-energy toll stations on expressways. The proposed system can be installed at the entrances and exits of expressway near-zero-energy toll stations, to convert the wasted kinetic energy of moving vehicles into electric power. The suggested system comprises four modules: speed bump module, transmission module, generator module and power storage module. As the energy input, the speed bump module captures the kinetic energy of moving vehicles. The transmission module contains a spatial double V-shaped mechanism to transform the vertical linear motion into unidirectional rotary motion. In the energy storage module, the supercapacitors are used to store electrical energy. The experimental analyses were performed using mechanical testing and sensing machine (MTS) and a maximum output voltage of 12.64 V was recorded at a square wave based input force of 500 N and 0.1 Hz frequency. The overall potential of power generation/year for all mainline toll stations was estimated and found that China has 219.66 MW h of potential only from road-based toll stations. The prolific findings prove the feasibility and practicality of the proposed REHS for near-zero-energy toll stations on expressways.

Solar-driven self-powered alkaline seawater electrolysis via multifunctional earth-abundant heterostructures

Harnessing renewable solar resources to drive water electrolyzer to attain hydrogen fuel is of paramount significance to a sustainable energy future. Nevertheless, the intermittent and instable drawbacks of sunlight greatly limit their practical applications. In this sense, incorporating an energy storage module in between the photovoltaic and electrolytic cells separately is an effective solution to cushion this issue. Herein, we devise a solar-driven self-powered electrocatalytic water splitting system, which employs photovoltaic cell to drive micro zinc-ion battery array to offer a stable voltage for continuously powering the seawater electrolyzer. Our design of miniature energy storage devices not only harvests high energy output but also reduces the bulky connection degrees of thus-integrated system. More impressively, the electrodes based on earth-abundant materials showcase multifunctionality, which is reflected in the good electrochemical performance of zinc-ion battery device, the impressive electrocatalytic activity toward overall water splitting, as well as the robustness to resist the corrosion within alkaline seawater. Our hybrid system would open up agitated ideas for the continuous acquisition of hydrogen fuel with low energy consumption, reasonable cost aspect and high environmental sustainability.

High-capacity high-power thermal energy storage using solid-solid martensitic transformations

A new concept of fabricating thermal energy storage modules using high-conductivity, solid-solid, shape memory alloys is demonstrated here to eliminate the capacity-power tradeoff common in solid-liquid designs. First, three compositions of Nickel titanium were solution heat treated and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and Xenon Flash to down-select to a promising material (Ni50.28Ti49.36) with a transformation temperature of 78 ˚C, volumetric latent heat of 183 MJm−3, and thermal conductivity in the Austenite and Martensite phases of 12.92 and 12.64 Wm−1K−1, respectively. Next, four parallel-plate thermal energy storage demonstrators were designed, fabricated, and tested in a thermofluidic test setup. These include a baseline sensible heating module (aluminum), a conventional solid-liquid PCM module (aluminum/1-octadecanol), an all-solid-solid PCM module (Ni50.28Ti49.36), and a composite solid-solid/solid-liquid PCM module (Ni50.28Ti49.36/1-octadecanol). We are able to demonstrate a 1.73–3.38 times improvement in volumetric thermal capacity and a 2.03–3.21 times improvement in power density by using NiTi. These experimental results are bolstered by analytical models to explain the observed heat transfer physics, extrapolate to additional use cases, and reveal a 5.86 times improvement in thermal time constant. This work demonstrates the ability to build high-capacity and high-power thermal energy storage modules using multifunctional shape memory alloys and opens the door for leap ahead improvement in transient thermal management.

RF-Powered Wearable Energy Harvesting and Storage Module Based on E-Textile Coplanar Waveguide Rectenna and Supercapacitor

This paper presents a high-efficiency compact ( $0.016\lambda _{0}^{2}$ ) textile-integrated energy harvesting and storage module for RF power transfer. A flexible 50 $\mu \text{m}$ -thick coplanar waveguide rectenna filament is integrated with a spray-coated supercapacitor to realize an “e-textile” energy supply module. The meandered antenna maintains an $S_{11} dB inside and outside the fabric and in human proximity with a 2.3 dBi gain. The rectifier achieves a peak RF-DC efficiency of 80%, across a 4.5 $\text{k}\Omega $ load, and a 1.8 V open-circuit voltage from −7 dBm. The supercapacitor is directly spray-coated on a cotton substrate using carbon and an aqueous electrolyte. When connected to the supercapacitor, the rectifier achieves over an octave half-power bandwidth. The textile-integrated rectenna is demonstrated charging the supercapacitor to 1.5 V (8.4 mJ) in 4 minutes, at 4.2 m from a license-free source, demonstrating a significant improvement over previous rectennas while eliminating power management circuitry. The integrated module has an end-to-end efficiency of 38% at 1.8 m from the transmitter. On-body, the rectenna’s efficiency is 4.8%, inclusive of in-body losses and transient shadowing, harvesting 4 mJ in 32 seconds from 16.6 $\mu \text{W}$ /cm2. It is concluded that e-textile rectennas are the most efficient method for powering wearables from $\mu \text{W}$ /cm2 power densities.

Entropy Generation Analysis in Supercapacitor Modules Based on a Three-Dimensional Coupled Thermal Model

Efficient and sustainable thermal management systems are crucial to ensure thermal stability and a long lifespan of supercapacitors. Conventional energy analysis of thermal management schemes does not account for irreversible processes stipulated by the second law of thermodynamics. In this work, an entropy generation analysis based on an improved coupled model is implemented for the first time, with the aim to facilitate the design and optimization of the supercapacitor thermal management systems. Entropy generation analysis accurately quantifies the irreversibilities due to heat transfer and fluid friction of the supercapacitor module, allowing for direct identification of the causes of inefficiency that cannot be achieved by the conventional energy analysis. The improved coupled model incorporates a one-dimensional electrochemical model and three-dimensional thermal models, which provides a complete solution for the transport of species, heat generation and heat transfer of supercapacitor at cell and module levels. The optimal thermal management scheme of the supercapacitor module is obtained by the multiparametric optimization based on four evaluation criteria derived from the coupled energy and entropy generation analyses. This work provides the advanced fundamental and computational frameworks for the development of next-generation, energy-smart thermal management systems for clean and renewable energy conversion and storage modules.

Self-heating incubator based on Fresnel lens and phase change energy storage

In recent years, with the continuous development of the Internet and catering industry, China’s takeout industry chain has gradually improved, and takeout has become an important force in the domestic catering consumption market. But at present, there are some problems in the market, such as high energy consumption and unsatisfactory insulation effect. This work is mainly divided into four parts: Fresnel lens focusing module, light tracking module, phase change energy storage module and delivery box module. Fresnel lens concentrator module focuses sunlight and converts heat energy. The tracking module tracks the position of the sun and strengthens the capture of solar energy by Fresnel lens. Phase change energy storage module stores heat energy and releases heat energy when needed. The delivery box module determines the overall framework. Compared with similar products, this work has the advantages of less energy consumption, better heat preservation effect and lower delivery cost.

Research on self-driving sensor of human movement based on friction nanogenerator

Aiming at the diversity of the Internet of Things and the complexity of the application environment, a self-driving micro-system solution for human motion based on the friction nano-generator (TFNG) is proposed. First analyse the three basic modules required to build a human motion self-driving micro system: the energy harvesting (EH) module of the friction nano-generator based on human motion, the active sensing module, and the high-efficiency energy storage module. Self-driving micro-systems suitable for different application scenarios can not only effectively solve the problem of long-term stable energy supply of massive sensor nodes, but also help the development of the Internet of Things technology in multiple dimensions and forms.

Gravity triboelectric nanogenerator for the steady harvesting of natural wind energy

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), as a renewable energy harvesting technology, has been verified as an effective approach for converting mechanical energy into electric energy. In a natural environment, the unsteadiness of TENG energy harvesting restricts the application and development of TENG. From this perspective, a gravity triboelectric nanogenerator (G-TENG) is developed for the first time to convert natural wind energy into steady electric energy, achieving the steady harvesting of natural wind energy. The G-TENG mainly comprises an energy input module, energy storage module, and energy output module. Random wind energy is transmitted from the input module to the storage module and converted into gravitational potential energy. Steady electric energy is ultimately obtained from the output module. The standard deviation ( I SD ) of the short-circuit current peaks is under 0.31 μA. Additionally, the fluctuation degree ( I FD ) of the short-circuit current peaks is defined to describe the steady output capability of TENG. I FD of the G-TENG can reach 2.3%. A steady current is thus achieved by the G-TENG in a natural environment. This research provides essential guidance for the steady harvesting of natural energy by the TENG. • Gravity triboelectric nanogenerator (G-TENG) is proposed for the steady harvesting of natural wind energy. • The fluctuation degree ( I FD ) of short-circuit current peaks is defined to describe the steady output capability of TENG. • A commercial thermometer is powered by the G-TENG with the assistance of a bridge rectifier in a natural wind environment.

A novel kinetic energy harvester using vibration rectification mechanism for self-powered applications in railway

Rail transit system has been considered to have a large energy harvesting potential, and to be usable to achieve self-powering for rail-attached electrical installations. Dowty retarder is a key device installed on the side of rails to assist train braking, which can be used as a carrier for kinetic energy harvesting. In this paper, a high-efficiency kinetic energy harvester (KEH) based on a railway Dowty Retarders (DRs) is investigated. This new KEH can accumulate the kinetic energy of a decelerating train using a novel vibration rectification mechanism. The current study comprises four main components: energy input module, motion transmission module, generation module, and energy storage module. The energy input module has a screw-nut mechanism that can convert linear vibration into rotational motion. As a core component of the entire device, the motion transmission module contains a special closed-loop shaped gear train that converts the two-way rotary motion into a unidirectional rotation. The final unidirectional rotation is transferred to the generation module for power generation and the generated energy is stored in the energy storage module. Finally, both experimental and simulation approaches were performed to verify the dynamics response of the KEH mechanism. The maximum efficiencies of 55.4% and 51.9% are obtained during the simulation and experimental analyses. It is validating that the KEH mechanism is promising and practical in self-powered applications for the heavy haul railway.

A high-efficiency energy regeneration shock absorber based on twin slider-crank mechanisms for self-powered sensors in railway cars

In recent years, with the rapid increase of railway freight, various types of self-powered sensors have been widely used in intelligent electronic monitoring equipment and on-board electric equipment in order to improve the safety and transportation efficiency of railway freight during operation. In this paper, a type of energy regeneration shock absorber based on twin slider-crank mechanisms is developed to install on the auxiliary suspensions of railway cars parallel to the coil springs. The energy regeneration shock absorber is divided into four components, as follows: a suspension vibration energy input module, a transmission module, a generator module, and an energy storage module. The suspension vibration energy input module captures the vibration energy generated by the railway car suspension. The transmission module converts the linear motion of the shock absorber into the one-way rotation motion of the generator input shaft to generate electrical energy. The energy storage module stores the electricity in the super capacitor to supply energy to self-powered sensors in railway cars. According to the bench test of the MTS® fatigue testing system, the peak efficiency of the shock absorber is 56.4%, and the average efficiency is 42.9%. Under harmonic excitation with a frequency of 3 Hz and an amplitude of 12.5 mm, the peak phase power is 24.6 W and the average power is 4.8 W, showing that the proposed new energy regeneration shock absorber is effective and practical to apply to self-powered sensors in railway cars.

Robust Performance and Safety Advantages of Large Cells for Energy Storage Based on HE3DA (3D) Electrode Concept - from a Lab Sample to a Gigafactory

The HE3DA® concept of several millimeters thick electrodes (3D) gives the lithium battery incomparable safety and brings a number of new technical attributes, which are not achievable by the existing thin film technology (2D).The safe and robust construction with multifunctional frames, easy degassing, low internal resistance and electrolyte regeneration make this new lithium accumulator technology ideal for high capacity batteries and large energy storage modules, optionally with an internal cooling system, which radically shrinks the battery pack size and extends the battery life.The 3D construction of HE3DA technology provides an efficient thermal management and inherited safety to the batteries, enabling construction of very large cells on hundred KWh level and modules on hundreds of MWh scale. Incomparable safety, cheap manufacturing process and performance robustness make this technology ideal for the Smart Grid applications, stabilizing solar and wind power generation, changing this type of renewable energy from unpredictable to predictable. HE3DA technology platform has been developed from a lab sample into a mass scale production on Gigawatt hour scale in the past 10 years.Typical performance data will be introduced. Figure 1

Printable Zinc-Ion Hybrid Micro-Capacitors for Flexible Self-Powered Integrated Units

HighlightsThis work is a new guide for the design of on-chip energy integrated systems toward the goal of developing highly safe, economic, and long-life smart wearable electronics.The biomass kelp-carbon based on unique 3D micro-/nanostructure combined with multivalent ion storage contributes to high capacity of the Zn-ion hybrid capacitor.The flexible solar-charging self-powered system with printed Zn-ion hybrid micro-capacitor as energy storage module exhibits fast photoelectric conversion/storage rate, good mechanical robustness, and cyclic stability.

Voltage Enhancement In a Distribution Power System With SMES Based DVR

This Power quality is one of the major concerns in the present power system environment. The situations like, voltage dip/sag, swells, harmonic content, etc. and their major effects on greatly susceptible loads are well known. To tackle these situations, custom power equipment are utilized. In this work, Proportional Integral (PI) control technique based Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is implemented in power distribution system to suppress voltage sag and swell under linear and non-linear load conditions.In conventional method, DVR is proposed to mitigate the voltage sag. But, presence of voltage swell may cause variation in output. In the proposed system, DVR with PI control technique is implemented which compensates both sag and swell. Using the program MATLAB 2014a, the design of the Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) module as a dc voltage source for minimizing voltage sag and improving the power efficiency of a DVR-based distribution system was presented. The simulation results show that the SMES-based DVR easily compensates both sag and swell and provides excellent voltage control in balanced and unbalanced situations.

Bending reliability of screen-printed vias for a flexible energy module

The future of printed electronics involves advancements not only related to full system integration, but also lean process manufacturing. A critical aspect of this progress is developed in this study, which evaluates a highly flexible screen printed through-hole-via using silver microparticle inks, for applications in energy harvesting and storage modules. The printed vias’ fabrication and durability are evaluated by means of a double sided screen-printing method and repetitive (cyclic) bending tests. Vias, through 125-µm-thick PET foil, were laser cut (nominally 50, 100, 150, and 200 µm diameters) then filled, and simultaneously connected to adjacent vias by screen printing. To investigate the use of the printed via in a monolithic energy module, the vias were used for the fabrication of a flexible printed supercapacitor containing aqueous electrolyte and carbon electrodes. The results indicate that the lower viscosity silver ink (DuPont 5064H) fills the via less effectively than the higher viscosity ink (Asahi LS411AW), and as the via size increases (≥150 µm diameter) via walls are coated rather than filled. Conversely, the more viscous ink fills the via thoroughly and exhibited a 100% yield (1010 vias; 100 µm nominal via diameter) with the two-step direct screen-printing method. The 10-mm radius bending test showed no signs of via specific breakdown after 30,000 cycles. The results indicate that this via filling process is likely roll-to-roll compatible to enable multi-layered printed electronic devices.

Oxidation Kinetics of Magnesium‐Manganese Oxides for High‐Temperature Thermochemical Energy Storage

In this article, the high‐temperature (≥1000 °C) oxidation kinetics of porous magnesium‐manganese oxide structures considered for large‐scale thermochemical energy storage are determined. For this analysis, oxides with Mn/Mg molar ratios of 2/3, 1/1, and 2/1 are synthesized via solid‐state reaction and crushed to a powder with particle sizes ranging from 125 to 180 μm. The powder is thermally reduced at 1500 °C inside a heated alumina tube under argon flow. Subsequently, the resulting porous bed is oxidized at temperatures between 1000 and 1500 °C with an oxygen to argon molar ratio of 1:4 (leading to an oxygen partial pressure of 0.2 atm). An Arrhenius‐type kinetic rate law is derived using the theory of internal oxidation assuming spherical particles. Subsequently, the kinetic rate law parameters are identified by comparing measured oxygen flow at the reactor outlet to the oxygen output computed using a 1D plug flow reactor model incorporating the postulated kinetic model. Results indicate that the derived bulk kinetic rate law describes the measured oxidation kinetics well and is suited for designing thermochemical energy storage modules based on magnesium‐manganese oxides.

A hybrid wind-photovoltaic power generation system based on the foldable umbrella mechanism for applications on highways

In this paper, a portable wind-photovoltaic power generation system (WPPGS) based on the foldable umbrella mechanism is presented. The proposed WPPGS is installed in the medians of highways, and it can simultaneously capture the solar energy and wind energy produced by running vehicles. The studied system mainly consists of three submodules: a solar harvesting module, a wind-energy-harvesting module and an energy storage module. The whole system is foldable for easy deployment and self-protection. The electricity generated by the wind and solar energy harvesting modules is stored in the energy storage module, which can supply power to the electrical facilities on highways. The Chengdu-Chongqing highway is selected for case study. Theoretical and simulation results show that the annual power generation of the solar harvesting sub-module, wind collection sub-module and entire WPPGS system deployed on all highways in Mainland China can be up to 155 GWh, 201 GWh and 356 GWh, respectively. Furthermore, the wind and solar-energy-harvesting subsystems have appropriate complementarity in time, which indicates that the WPPGS has excellent technical performance throughout the entire year.

Research on Echelon Utilization of Lithium Battery

This thesis finds a form of cascade use for retired lithium batteries by analysis, tests, screens and reorganizes retired lithium batteries into new standard energy storage modules, which are successfully applied to stadium scooters. The results show that this form can effectively extend the life cycle of lithium batteries.

Enhancement of Energy Recovery in a Phase Change Energy Storage Module with Embedded Radiation Absorbing Particles

Enhancement of Energy Recovery in a Phase Change Energy Storage Module with Embedded Radiation Absorbing Particles