Will Ultracapacitors Overtake Batteries in the Energy-Storage Race?

Will Ultracapacitors Overtake Batteries in the Energy-Storage Race?: The short answer to the headline’s question is probably not. Perhaps this isn’t the answer you were expecting from the CEO of an ultracapacitor manufacturer. However, ultracapacitors and batteries are different technologies with different benefits for different applications. The idea a battle exists between the two is perhaps a bit of an energy-storage myth.

comment:

An intriguing possibility is the use of ultracapacitors with fuel cells and batteries.

I have seen on the web, fuel cell cars with ultracapacitors, but not with batteries.  Why suggest this combination?

If batteries are used without fuel cells, then it doesn't allow you to downsize the battery very much.   Likewise, if you don't use batteries, but just fuel cells, then you need more powerful fuel cells.

Battery size and fuel cell size can be optimized, I would think.  With optimization, costs would also be optimized.  A bigger battery is a more expensive proposition.  With a small fuel cell, costs could also be optimized.  The final costs could be competitive with ICE powered cars.

As for the fuel, you can make nuclear ammonia as the hydrogen carrier.  An ammonia infrastructure already exists.  Ammonia could be taken to the point of sale, and hydrogen could be obtained from the ammonia.  This may be accomplished with little need for additional infrastructure, and costs would be competitive with fossil fuels.