UltraBattery FAQs

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the UltraBattery, its applications and commercial availability.

• 6 May 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

• What is the UltraBattery?
• How was the UltraBattery developed?
• What are the applications for the UltraBattery?
• Can the UltraBattery replace regular car batteries?
• Is the UltraBattery commercially available for HEVs?
• How can the UltraBattery improve renewable energy storage?

What is the UltraBattery?

The UltraBattery is a hybrid energy storage device that integrates a supercapacitor with a lead acid battery in one unit cell.

This unique design harnesses the best of both technologies to produce a battery that can provide high power discharge and charge with a long, low-cost life.

How was the UltraBattery developed?

CSIRO recognised the need for a new battery cell that combined the advantages of two battery technologies: the supercapacitor and the lead-acid cell.

The UltraBattery incorporates the high charge–discharge rates of the supercapacitor and the greater energy storage of the lead–acid cell.

CSIRO is currently conducting further research to improve the UltraBattery, making it lighter, more efficient and capable of setting new performance standards.

What are the applications for the UltraBattery?

UltraBattery technology is being developed for two major applications: low emission transport, specifically hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and renewable energy storage from wind and solar sources.

Can the UltraBattery replace regular car batteries?

The UltraBattery is not intended to replace regular car batteries. The technology presents an opportunity to be integrated into new, low emission HEV designs.

The UltraBattery offers a number of advantages over the existing nickel-metal hydride batteries used in the HEVs. It is approximately 70 per cent less expensive, but with comparable performance and in addition has faster charge and discharge rates.

Is the UltraBattery commercially available for HEVs?

CSIRO licensed UltraBattery technology for automotive applications to The Furukawa Battery Co Ltd in Japan and East Penn Manufacturing Co Inc in North America. These commercial licenses extend through the regions of Japan, Thailand, North America, Mexico and Canada.

How can the UltraBattery improve renewable energy storage?

There are a number of benefits that the UltraBattery could have for renewable energy supply for example, reliability, stability, load levelling, remote area power supply and emergency backup.

For renewable energy storage, it is expected that the discharge and charge power will be 50 per cent higher and the cycle-life at least two times longer than that of the conventional lead-acid counterpart currently used for renewable energy storage.

Trials are now underway at CSIRO’s Energy Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Read more about the UltraBattery: no ordinary battery.