Flow batteries are suited for use in several application areas, including utility-scale energy storage, microgrids, renewables integration, backup power, and remote and off-grid power. Flow batteries are highly scalable, and their power and energy ratings can also be scaled independently. They have very little or no self-discharge current. Flow batteries have demonstrated cycle lives of […]
How do flow batteries work?
The heart of a flow battery is a specially designed regenerative fuel cell module. A conventional regenerative fuel cell operates on the basis of a reversible electrolysis electrochemical process and can be either an open system (where water can be added, and hydrogen and oxygen removed) or a closed system. These electrolysis-based regenerative fuel cells […]
Design challenges when using energy harvesting – Virtual Roundtable (part 1 of 2)
The first part of EEWorld’s two-part “virtual roundtable” discussion on energy harvesting considers technical challenges and design tradeoffs for engineers using energy harvesting power sources. Joining us for this virtual roundtable are: Dr. André Mansano (AM), CTO at Nowi; Graeme Clark (GC), Marketing Manager, Energy Harvesting Business Unit, at Renesas Electronics, Ken Imai (KI) Sr. […]
Applying large banks of supercapacitors
It pays to know techniques for mitigating leakage current and over- voltages in uses where several supercapacitors work in parallel. Michele Kinman Advanced Linear Devices Inc. In applications requiring rapid charge/discharge cycles or short-term energy storage, you’ll often find supercapacitors connected in series or parallel. However, there’s a potential problem when supercaps are wired together […]
The 40-year battery pack
Not all primary batteries offer the low annual self-discharge rate needed for the lengthy lifespan of remote wireless devices consuming microamp-level currents. Sol Jacobs, Tadiran Batteries The vast majority of remote wireless devices are powered by primary (non-rechargeable) batteries that range from consumer-grade to industrial grade. Consumer-grade alkaline batteries deliver higher discharge rates of energy, […]
Standard amplifier functions in HEV/EV battery management systems
by Sanjeev Manadhar, Texas Instruments Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are popular because they have low (to zero) emissions and fewer maintenance requirements while offering better efficiency and drive performance. New HEV/EV companies are emerging, while existing automakers are investing more in HEV/EV to compete for market share. The heart of the […]
Want a new perspective on battery management? Buy a plug-in EV.
One facet of EV ownership: Thinking of your daily commute power consumption as equivalent to the sunlight hitting 20 ft2 of your lawn. Rudye McGlothlin, Silicon Labs Earlier this year I took my first step into the EV future by buying a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) – a Chevrolet Volt. A unique car in […]
Charging electric vehicles, Part 1: The numbers
It’s nice to envision that recharging an electric vehicle is as straightforward as filling up an internal combustion vehicle, but it’s not: there are multiple charging, power, and connector options as well as limitations. You’re driving your internal-combustion (IC) car, and the gauge indicates it’s time to get “gas” (of course, it’s actually gasoline). So […]
Battery self-discharge and designing for long life
Battery chemistries each have special qualities that can make certain cells impractical for varying kinds of internet-of-things applications. Sol Jacobs | Tadiran Batteries Circuit designers often find themselves in the position of trying to squeeze as much life as possible out of a battery. Today there is much discussion about boosting battery life through use […]
Considerations for battery-powered designs
How can you make your resume really stand out? This has been the topic of books, articles, class assignments, and blogs for decades. It came up in conversation one day, and a friend of mine had a unique story. I’ve included it below, with some edits. “With so much written on the topic, there is […]