Supercapacitors: Your business energy solution delivered in a container

Containerised solutions that maximise the potential of battery storage innovations mean businesses can have a customised, fully integrated energy solution constructed and delivered in a container.

Advanced battery technologies including solid-state supercapacitors are the real game-changer, says Frank Rovelli of power and energy solutions company, Probe.

As an importer and distributor of batteries for over 60 years, Probe has a specialist team that remains on the cusp of leading battery storage technologies. The Probenergy division takes a holistic approach and offers full turn-key solar solutions designed by in-house engineers.

According to Rovelli, these new-generation supercapacitors mean you can accommodate up to 8MWH in a 40-foot containerised solution, making these solutions economically viable. “Solid-state supercapacitors can now deliver four times the power of a lithium battery, in the same form factor. We’re seeing massive leaps in energy storage capacity and round-trip efficiency, while the investment and space required for battery banks reduces.”

These systems are also highly scalable and flexible, allowing for easy expansion to meet growing energy demands. “A modular design ensures cost-effectiveness by reducing capital and operational expenses, as well as installation and maintenance costs. Businesses can scale up systems by adding additional battery storage as needed – like Lego,” says Rovelli. “These batteries can also be joined in series with any type of battery, making them compatible with existing systems and future-proof, as batteries of all types can be in the future.”

Applications of containerised solutions span various sectors including industrial, residential and utility-scale projects. They provide efficient energy management and emergency power supply, making them a versatile option for alternative energy. With increased investment in large-scale renewable energy projects, energy storage solutions that can handle the demands of the grid as well as the intermittency of wind and solar energy are needed.

Energy density and usable capacity over a battery lifecycle are the keys to real alternative energy return on investment, and this is where solid-state supercapacitors stand out. While lithium batteries store energy electrochemically, supercapacitor modules store it electrostatically – a safer, more energy dense form of storage. Solid-state supercapacitors created with encapsulated hybrid graphene are a further leap, more than doubling cell, module and volumetric energy density and eliminating degradation.

Rovelli believes solid-state supercapacitors are the future of solar energy. “They’re the most efficient, fastest charging, longest lasting, scaleable battery investment for commercial solar on the market. These supercapacitors offer greater than 20 000 cycles, four cycles a day, for 10 years and beyond, up to 43 000 cycles, with a maximum degradation loss of 10% during their life span and no loss of efficiency, which remains at around 90%. Supercapacitors can also be charged and discharged at rates three to five times faster than lithium batteries. There is minimal heat generation, and they don’t require cooling.”

He adds that beyond ensuring consistent power, the right energy storage solution can create major utility savings over time when managed effectively. “Businesses with efficient energy storage are able to draw power from stored solar energy during peak times, avoiding the higher peak demand charges that commercial customers pay.”

While these technologies pay off over time, the initial capital outlay can be daunting. Probe has partnered with banks and funders to offer rent-to-own/lease solutions, helping clients invest in their power. “The predictability of the solid-state supercapacitor makes it possible to price and match the storage solution over the life of the solar system,” Rovelli explains.

Tax incentives also allow South African taxpayers to deduct 120% of the costs of a solar installation of less than 1MW from their taxable income in the year of its commissioning, as long as it is operational before 1 March 2025.

With time running out, Rovelli says carefully designed containerised energy storage options provide rapid and flexible solutions. “The time to invest in your power is now.”