Use In Energy Storage Devices Research Articles

The Arctic: Ecology and Hydrogen Electrical Power Engineering

The social and environmental aspects, climatic and glaciological features of the Arctic development in terms of energy supply are considered. The most expedient ways of complex development of the Arctic are shown. On the example of the large and unique stationary projects, paper marks some shortcomings: high cost, long-term construction, incomplete autonomy, insufficient solution of problems of ecology and waste processing. Incomplete autonomy is due to the need for transportation of materials, products, replacement crews and personnel, as well as insufficient logistics and transportation difficulties in summer on the mainland and in winter by sea. Problems of ecology and waste processing are associated with the use of traditional methods of burning solid and liquid fuels using coal or fuel oil polluting the environment. Switching to liquefied natural gas (LNG) for electric propulsion and power supply will significantly improve the environmental situation. The research performed on the mathematical model of the multifunctional energy complex of IEC shows the possibility of uninterrupted power supply of local load from both the centralized network, and from the diesel generator (DG) and the electric power storage; DG is used to save fuel as a backup source. The proposed technologies of power generation based on hydrogen or low-power nuclear power plants allow increasing the energy efficiency of the direct fuel conversion plant and provide integrated waste processing along with improving the environment. The small population of the Arctic, its mobility when using the rotational method requires the integrated development of mobile energy and life support systems of low power up to 30 MW using LNG or low-power nuclear power plants supplemented with RES. If the installation on hydrogen is both source and storage of electricity, the use of low-power nuclear power plants and especially RES require the use of energy storage devices. These hydrogen or electrochemical cycle storage devices are the most progressive in the world energy sector, and their applicability significantly depends on the development of the service infrastructure. Typing and replication of power supply sources can solve the problem of development of remote and isolated regions of the Arctic through the integrated use of innovative technologies for generation, storage, transmission and distribution of electricity, life support, recycling and recycling of waste, environmental conservation using hydrogen energy and digital control and monitoring systems.

Unveiling the pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanisms of nanostructured vanadium nitrides using in-situ analyses

The future of energy storage devices relies on energy storage systems with both high energy and power densities. Supercapacitors, a hybrid of capacitors and batteries, have the potential to deliver both high energy and power densities. Materials suitable for supercapacitors are those capable of storing charges via faradaic redox reactions or pseudocapacitive reactions in addition to electrostatic double-layer storage. High-surface-area early transition metal nitrides such as vanadium nitride (VN) have promising properties for use in energy storage devices, especially supercapacitors, due to their pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanisms. The nature of their pseudocapacitive function, however, remains poorly understood. Further development of these materials requires a detailed understanding of their pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanisms. This paper reports a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the pseudocapacitive charge-storage mechanisms of the VN material in aqueous alkaline electrolytes using in-situ small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and in-situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) combined with physical and electrochemical characterization techniques. Contrary to conventional wisdom that large pores are more accessible to electrolyte ions and thus store more charge, our results showed that pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism for VN in aqueous alkaline media is induced by the insertion/extraction of anions (i.e. OH−, OD−) in and out of micropores. The anion insertion/extraction leads to the reduction/oxidation of the V metal, as the material was electrochemically charged and dis-charged within its operating potential window. These results suggest that high pseudocapacitances in excess of 1300 Fg-1 could be achieved by the VN material in 1.2 V aqueous alkaline electrolytes. This work undoubtedly provides a clear and generic conceptual and fundamental characterization approach for energy storage devices and related systems.

Synthesis of hierarchical Cu2O octahedra@Ni(OH)2 nanosheets core-shell heterostructures for high-performance supercapacitor

In this work, we report the controllable preparation of hierarchical Cu2O octahedra@Ni(OH)2 nanosheets core-shell heterostructures and their application in high-performance supercapacitors. Cu2O octahedra are initially directly grown on Ni foam via a facile solvothermal reaction, followed by the covering of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets through a controllable electrodeposition method. The prepared Cu2O@Ni(OH)2 core-shell heterostructures were found to exhibit a specific capacitance of up to 892 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a capacitance retention of 95% after 5000 cycles at 5 A g−1. Such good electrochemical performance is believed to arise from its unique octahedra@nanosheets core-shell heterostructures and synergistic effect of the Cu2O and Ni(OH)2 components. Moreover, the assembled Cu2O@Ni(OH)2//active carbon asymmetric supercapacitor device could deliver an energy density of 34.8 W h kg−1 at a power density of 798 W kg−1. Our findings not only suggest the great potential of the prepared Cu2O@Ni(OH)2 core-shell heterostructures for use in energy storage devices, but also showcase an alternative approach to construct the composite electrodes with high electrochemical performance.

Characterization of the degradation process of lithium-ion batteries when discharged at different current rates

The use of energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion batteries, has become popular in many different domains and applications. Hence, it is relatively easy to find literature associated with problems of battery state-of-charge estimation and energy autonomy prognostics. Despite this fact, the characterization of battery degradation processes is still a matter of ongoing research. Indeed, most battery degradation models solely consider operation under nominal (or strictly controlled) conditions, although actual operating profiles (including discharge current) may differ significantly from those. In this context, this article proposes a lithium-ion battery degradation model that incorporates the impact of arbitrary discharge currents. Also, the proposed model, initially calibrated through data reported for a specific lithium-ion battery type, can characterize degradation curves for other lithium-ion batteries. Two case studies have been carried out to validate the proposed model, initially calibrated by using data from a Sony battery. The first case study uses our own experimental data obtained for a Panasonic lithium-ion cell, which was cycled and degraded at high current rates. The second case study considers the analysis of two public data sets available at the Prognostics Center of Excellence of NASA Ames Research Center website, for batteries cycled using nominal and 2-C (twice the nominal) discharge currents. Results show that the proposed model can characterize degradation processes properly, even when cycles are subject to different discharge currents and for batteries not manufactured by Sony (whose data were used for the initial calibration).

The features of the use of energy storage devices in the railway power supply system

The pulsating mode of the power consumption in the railroad power supply network is the cause of the occurrence of voltage pulsations in the contact network. This leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the energy system. The purpose of this work is to develop means to improve the quality of the electrical energy of the railroad power supply system and formulate recommendations for their use. To compensate power fluctuations in the electric power supply network of the railway, it is proposed to use hybrid electric energy storage devices. The use of two-channel additional traction power station with an appropriate control system was proposed. The basis of the mathematical model is the data of real measurements. To suppress the power pulsations in the power supply system of the railway, it was proposed to use two-channel additional traction power station. The paper presents DC-DC converter with CF and VF terminals. As a result, dynamic losses are reduced and higher operating frequencies could be achieved. The possibility to transfer power in both directions allows the topology to be applied in high power battery applications. The possibility of using a single low-pass filter for the generation of control signals for both low-frequency and high-frequency channels of system is proven. The use of effective methods of balancing voltage levels in accumulators’ stack makes it possible to reduce the power of losses in the converter by 10-15%

The Use of Energy Storage Devices of Uncontrolled Type on the Moscow Metro (Theory and Practice)

The problem of increasing energy saving and energy efficiency in the system of traction power supply of the Moscow Metro is considered due to the use of energy storage devices of uncontrolled type. The results of simulation modeling of the operation of an energy storage device of uncontrolled type in the system of traction power supply of the subway are presented.A particular line of the Moscow Metro, Filevskaya, was studied, on which experiments on the introduction of energy storage devices based on electrochemical super capacitors were conducted.With the help of experimental measurements, the electric power indicators of the operation of a stationary energy storage device had been obtained at regular service on the traction substation of the Filevskaya line of the Moscow Metro for several months. The maximum levels of the converted energies, the cyclicity, the efficiency of the plant operation, and the amount of the energy economy are determined.By statistical processing of the instantaneous values of the performance of the traction substation with the accumulator and the analysis of the data of the energy monitoring of the Moscow metro, an important parameter of reducing the installed capacity was investigated. The similarity of the data of theoretical calculations and experimental measurements is shown.

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ НАКОПИТЕЛЕЙ ЭНЕРГИИ И УПРАВЛЯЕМЫХ УСТАНОВОК РАСПРЕДЕЛЕННОЙ ГЕНЕРАЦИИ ДЛЯ СНИЖЕНИЯ ПРОВАЛОВ НАПРЯЖЕНИЯ В СЕТЕВОМ ЭНЕРГЕТИЧЕСКОМ КЛАСТЕРЕ

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ НАКОПИТЕЛЕЙ ЭНЕРГИИ И УПРАВЛЯЕМЫХ УСТАНОВОК РАСПРЕДЕЛЕННОЙ ГЕНЕРАЦИИ ДЛЯ СНИЖЕНИЯ ПРОВАЛОВ НАПРЯЖЕНИЯ В СЕТЕВОМ ЭНЕРГЕТИЧЕСКОМ КЛАСТЕРЕ

Mesoporous graphitic carbon-TiO2 composite microspheres produced by a pilot-scale spray-drying process as an efficient sulfur host material for Li-S batteries

Mesoporous graphitic carbon-TiO2 composite microspheres are fabricated by a facile process and used as an effective sulfur host material for Li-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Composite microspheres are several microns in size and with uniform size distributions that contained maltodextrin, iron nitrate, and TiO2 nanocrystals are formed using a pilot-scale spray-drying process, then transform into graphitic carbon-TiO2 composite microspheres with numerous empty nanovoids by a single post-treatment step and subsequent etching of metallic iron. The composite carbon microspheres not only have high pore volumes after the removal of metallic iron, providing sufficient spaces for the infiltration of sulfur, but also increase electronic conductivity in electrodes due to the graphitic carbon. Consequently, a high specific capacity of 516 mA h g−1 at a current density of 5 C and a reversible capacity of 599 mA h g−1 after 600 cycles at a current density of 1 C are achieved, indicating the excellent capability of the material for use in energy storage devices. The structure of the mesoporous graphitic carbon-TiO2 composite microspheres make them suitable for use as a host material in sulfur cathodes and can significantly improve the electrochemical performances of LSBs.

A methodology for smart grid reconfiguration

In this work, it is presented a methodology for the reconfiguration of smart grids that is applied to a smart grid formed by two microgrids that can be electrically interconnected in contingency situations. Each microgrid is also connected to an Electric Power System (EPS) when operating in the normal state. Moreover, the smart grid includes energy storage devices (batteries) located at strategic points. Serious faults that isolated the microgrids of the EPS and, moreover, considerably reduced the generation capacity of such microgrids are simulated. The proposed methodology is applied to reconfiguration in scenarios involving cooperation between microgrids and/or the use of energy storage devices. Performance indices are also proposed to enable a quantitative analysis for each scenario. It is shown that intelligent cooperation between microgrids and the smart-use storage energy is the best option for reducing the impacts in a contingency scenarios.

Quantitative microwave impedance microscopy with effective medium approximations

Microwave impedance microscopy (MIM) is a scanning probe technique to measure local changes in tip-sample admittance. The imaginary part of the reported change is calibrated with finite element simulations and physical measurements of a standard capacitive sample, and thereafter the output ΔY is given a reference value in siemens. Simulations also provide a means of extracting sample conductivity and permittivity from admittance, a procedure verified by comparing the estimated permittivity of polytetrafluoroethlyene (PTFE) to the accepted value. Simulations published by others have investigated the tip-sample system for permittivity at a given conductivity, or conversely conductivity and a given permittivity; here we supply the full behavior for multiple values of both parameters. Finally, the well-known effective medium approximation of Bruggeman is considered as a means of estimating the volume fractions of the constituents in inhomogeneous two-phase systems. Specifically, we consider the estimation of porosity in carbide-derived carbon, a nanostructured material known for its use in energy storage devices.

Review—Electrodeposition of Nanostructured Materials from Aqueous, Organic and Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Li-Ion and Na-Ion Batteries: A Comparative Review

The need for a simple and versatile technique to develop various nanostructures for use in energy storage devices is in great demand. Electrodeposition is a versatile technique for developing various nanostructures on different substrates which can be directly used as battery electrodes. Thin film nanostructures, nanowires/nanotubes, core-shell and porous nanostructures, and three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) structures have been developed electrochemically and have shown better battery cycle lives, high charge/discharge capabilities as well as good capacity retention, sometimes at par or better than other synthesis techniques. This review highlights the synthesis of various nanostructures for use as battery electrodes for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries from aqueous, organic and ionic liquid electrolytes. In particular, we will highlight how ionic liquids have motivated the development of different intermetallic alloys and semiconductor nanostructures which have been applied in both Li-ion and Na-ion batteries.

Ionic Liquid-Containing Composite Poly(ethylene oxide) Electrolyte Reinforced by Electrospun Silica Nanofiber

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are of interest as soft ion-conductive materials, and are particularly suitable for use in energy storage devices. To overcome the tradeoff relationship between the ionic conductivity and mechanical strength we propose an electrospun silica (SiO2) nanofiber (SNF) as a reinforcing additive. The SNF is synthesized by an electrospinning procedure without calcination. This SNF can be incorporated into a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) electrolyte plasticized by N-n-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Pyr14TFSI). Tensile test confirms that the SNF greatly enhances the mechanical strength, with no sacrifice of conductivity. The ionic conductivity is improved by the IL and is over 10−3 S cm−1 at 80°C and close to 10−4 S cm−1 at 30°C. Linear sweep voltammetry for a stainless steel electrode reveals that the composite electrolyte has an oxidation stability suitable for lithium battery use. A prototype lithium polymer cell assembled using a LiFePO4 cathode can be efficiently cycled at 60–80°C.

Macro- and mesoporous nanocellulose beads for use in energy storage devices

Chemically cross-linked, wet-stable cellulose nanofibril (CNF) aerogel beads were fabricated using a novel procedure. The procedure facilitated controlled production of millimetre-sized CNF aerogel beads without freeze-drying or critical point drying, while still retaining a highly porous structure with low density. The aerogel beads were mechanically robust in the dry state, supporting loads of 1.3N at 70% compression, even after being soaked in water and re-dried. Furthermore, they displayed both a good stability in water and a remarkably good shape recovery after wet compression. Owing to the stability in water, the entire surface of the highly porous aerogel beads could be successfully functionalized with polyelectrolytes and carboxyl-functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes (CF-SWCNTs) using the Layer-by-Layer technique, introducing a significant electrical conductivity (1.6mS/cm) to the aerogel beads. The functionalized, electrically conducting aerogel beads could carry as much as 2kA/cm2 and act as electrodes in a supercapacitor displaying a stabilized charge storage capacity of 9.8F/g after 50 charging–discharging cycles.

Energetic optimization of regenerative braking for high speed railway systems

The current development trend in the railway field has led to an ever increasing interest for the energetic optimization of railway systems (especially considering the braking phases), with a strong attention to the mutual interactions between the loads represented by railway vehicles and the electrical infrastructure, including all the sub-systems related to distribution and smart energy management such as energy storage systems. In this research work, the authors developed an innovative coupled modelling approach suitable for the analysis of the energetic optimization of railway systems and based on the use of the new object oriented language Matlab-Simscape™, which presents several advantages with respect to conventional modelling tools. The proposed model has been validated considering an Italian Direct Current High-speed line and the High-speed train ETR 1000. Furthermore, the model has been used to perform an efficiency analysis, considering the use of energy storage devices. The results obtained with the developed model show that the use of energy recovery systems in high-speed railway can provide great opportunities of energy savings.

(Invited) Emerging Graphene Device Technologies

Graphene has extraordinary electronic properties including a high carrier mobility [1], a Young’s modulus over 1 TPa [2], [3] and the ability to detect the presence of single molecules [4]. Here we explore a number of potential applications based on graphene including sensors, transistors, and supercapacitors. Its remarkable mechanical properties have made it an ideal candidate for nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) applications. Specifically, its use as a pressure sensor has been thoroughly explored [5], [6]. Graphene has shown an extraordinary sensitivity to changes in pressure, drastically outperforming conventional silicon sensors as well as carbon nanotubes [5]. These devices function through the piezoresistive effect and the underlying physics has been examined in detail [5]. Fig. 1a shows the structure of the graphene pressure sensor along with a typical resistance response of the device to changes in pressure. Graphene based humidity sensors have been demonstrated, providing a comprehensive overview of their sensing properties [7]. These sensors have rapid response and recovery times and have a linear signal response over a wide humidity range. Fig. 1b shows a humidity sensor device and corresponding resistance change when exposed to a variety of gasses. Results are adapted from [7]. Two types of graphene based transistors have additionally been explored. The first example is a graphene field effect transistor (GFET) that has been fabricated and examined showing soft current saturation [8]. The other example is the graphene base transistor (GBT) which was first experimentally demonstrated in 2013 [9]. The difference between the GBT and the GFET are expressed in Fig. 1c and Fig. 1d. In the case of the GBT, charge transport occurs perpendicular to the graphene by tunneling through an emission barrier interface (EBI), then transported through the graphene layer (acting as the base), and lastly through the interface between the base and the collector (BCI). The GBT device structure and function is illustrated in a schematic and simplified band diagram (Fig. 1c). These GBTs have since had their performance improved by the use of an intermediate trap assisted tunneling layer between the EBI and BCI [10]. For GFETs, charge transport occurs along the graphene layer between the source and the drain and the current is electrostatically controlled by the gate (Fig. 1d). The combination of graphene’s electronic properties with this high surface to volume ratio makes graphene an ideal material for use in energy storage devices. Graphene based supercapacitors have been demonstrated which employ ink-jet printed graphene films to provide high surface area [13]. Fig. 1e and Fig. 1f shows ink-jet printed graphene on two substrates. Fig. 1e is an optical image of printed graphene on glass while Fig. 1f is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of ink-jet printed graphene on SiO2. These devices can be integrated with other graphene devices in a back end of the line (BEOL) integration scheme. Graphene’s integratability has promising implications for the heterogeneous integration of multiple devices on the same chip.

Formation of three-dimensional honeycomb-like nitrogen-doped graphene for use in energy-storage devices

We have developed a one-step method to produce three-dimensional honeycomb-like nitrogen-doped graphene. Interlaminated hybrid composites of phthalocyanine (Pc) and graphene oxide (GO) swell up when hydrogen is released from the layers during the solid-state pyrolysis process, producing the three-dimensional graphene. The unique micro-structural features of the honeycomb-like nitrogen-doped graphene possesses a high surface area of ∼230m2g−1 and a substantial content of nitrogen (∼4.03%). The planar-N configuration is found to significantly enhance the electrochemical property, due to the improved electrical conductivity and enhanced capacitance in KOH aqueous electrolyte in reversible Faradic redox reactions. The supercapacitor based on the honeycomb-like nitrogen-doped graphene presented outstanding specific capacitance (175F·g−1 at 0.5A·g−1) and a long cycle life of more than 5000 cycles. This work provides an opportunity for the mass production of 3D nitrogen-doped graphene for industrial application.

Design of an ultra-durable silicon-based battery anode material with exceptional high-temperature cycling stability

Nanostructured silicon is a promising candidate material for practical use in energy storage devices. However, high temperature operation remains a significant challenge because of severe electrochemical side reactions. Here, we show the design of ultra-durable silicon made by introducing dual coating layers on the silicon surface, allowing stable operation at high temperature. The double layers, which consist of amorphous metal titanate and carbon, provide several advantages including: (i) suppression of volume expansion during Li+ insertion; (ii) creation of a stable solid-electrolyte−interface layer; and (iii) preservation of original Si morphology over 600 cycles at high temperature. The resulting silicon-based anode exhibits a reversible capacity of 990mAhg−1 after 500 cycles at 25°C and 1300mAhg−1 after 600 cycles at 60°C with a rate of 1C.

Facile solution synthesis of tin sulfide nanobelts for lithium-ion batteries

Two-dimensional Sn-based metal compounds (e.g. SnS, SnS2 and SnO2) are exceptionally attractive due to their excellent ion intercalation response and are suitable for use in energy storage devices (e.g. lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors). However, the application of these dichalcogenides in Li-ion batteries is hindered by limitations in large-scale solution synthesis of SnS nanobelts. In this study, we developed a universal hydrothermal approach for the synthesis of SnS nanobelts and proposed an underlying mechanism for the formation reaction. When used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, SnS nanobelts maintain a discharge capacity of 889.9 mAhg−1 after 50 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A/g. The nanobelts also exhibit high electrochemical performance, high rate capacity, and high reversible capacity. These results demonstrate that SnS nanobelts are potential anode materials for high-performance energy storage applications.

The P- and N- Doping of Graphene through Specific Plasma Processing

The interfacial capacitance of graphene, the fundamental building block of carbon based high surface area electrodes, is limited by its quantum capacitance (CQ ).1,2 We will show that the CQ of single-layer and few-layer graphene can be increased, e.g., through doping using specific plasma processing techniques. We will first show that the density of states and consequently the carrier concentration of graphene can be increased via argon based plasma processing.3 Subsequently, we will suggest ways to modulate the effective doping (both, p- and /n- type) through subjecting the graphenes to plasmas consisting of differently charged ions (Argon and Nitrogen). We will indicate extensive Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical characterization, to clearly elucidate the nature of plasma doping and its effect on the quantum capacitance.4 The implications of plasma processing to the resistance change and the power density of graphene based electrochemical capacitors will be indicated. The work is of considerable scientific and technological interest.5, in terms of evaluating the underlying charge storage mechanisms of graphene for potential use in energy storage devices.

One-step Preparation of Nanoarchitectured TiO2 on Porous Al as Integrated Anode for High-performance Lithium-ion Batteries.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an attractive anode material for energy storage devices due to its low-volume-change and high safety. However, TiO2 anodes usually suffer from poor electrical and ionic conductivity, thus causing dramatic degradation of electrochemical performance at rapid charge/discharge rates, which has hindered its use in energy storage devices. Here, we present a novel strategy to address this main obstacle via using nanoarchitectured TiO2 anode consisting of mesoporous TiO2 wrapped in carbon on a tunnel-like etched aluminum substrate prepared by a simple one-step approach. As a result of this nanoarchitecture arrangement, the anode exhibits excellent rate performance and superior cyclability. A rate up to 100 C is achieved with a high specific capacity of about 95 mA h g−1, and without apparent decay after 8,000 cycles.