MechChem Africa January-February 2025

⎪ PowerGen,PetroChem and Sustainable energy management ⎪

Supercapacitors and containerised energy solutions Frank Rovelli, Group CEO of Probe, argues the case for adopting “game changing” solid-state supercapacitors for energy storage instead of lithium ion and other battery technologies. This option is now being incorporated into Probenergy division’s turn-key containerised solar solutions. S olutions that maximise the potential of battery storage innovations are enabling businesses to have cus tomised, fully integrated energy so capacitors futureproof, as batteries of many types are sure to be available in the future,” Rovelli adds.

Applications of containerised power 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 alterna tive 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 intermit tency of wind and solar energy are needed. Energy density and usable capacity over a battery lifecycle are keys to real investment returns on alternative energy solutions, and this is where solid-state su percapacitors stand out. While lithium batteries store energy electrochemically, supercapacitor modules store it electro statically: 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 supercapaci tors are the future of solar energy. They are the most efficient, fastest charging, longest lasting, scaleable battery investment for commercial solar on the market. These supercapacitors offer greater than 20 000 cycles, equivalent to four full charging discharging cycles per day, for 10 years and beyond. Up to 43 000 cycles can be achieved with a maximum degradation loss of 10% during their life span with no loss of efficiency, which remains at around

lutions constructed offsite 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 bat teries 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, new-generation su percapacitors can enable up to 8.0 MWh of energy to be stored in a 40-ft containerised solution, making these solutions economi cally viable. “Solid-state supercapacitors can now deliver four times the power of a lithium ion battery, in the same form fac tor. We’re seeing massive leaps in energy storage capacity and round-trip efficiency, while the investment and space required for battery banks reduces,” he adds. These systems are also highly scalable and flexible, allowing for easy expansion to meet growing energy demands. “A modular design ensures cost-effectiveness by reduc ing capital and operational expenses, as well as installation and maintenance costs. Businesses can also scale up existing sys tems by adding additional battery storage as needed, stacking them like Lego blocks. These batteries are also compatible with other types of battery and can be joined in series with them, making the use of super

90%. Supercapacitors can also be charged and discharged at rates three to five times faster than lithium ion batteries. There is minimal heat generation and they don’t require cooling. Beyond ensuring consistent power, he says the right energy storage solution can generate major utility savings over time when managed effectively. “Businesses with efficient energy storage are able to draw power from stored solar energy dur ing peak times, avoiding the higher peak demand charges that commercial customers pay,” he notes. While these technologies pay off over time, the initial capital outlay can be daunt ing. Probe has partnered with banks and funders to offer rent-to-own/lease solu tions, helping clients to invest in power stor age more easily. “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 1.0 MW from their taxable income in the year of its com missioning, as long as it is operational before 1 March 2025. With time running out, Rovelli says care fully designed containerised energy storage options provide rapid and flexible solutions. "The time to invest in your power is now.” https://probenergy.co.za

The Probenergy division of the Probe Group takes a holistic approach and offers full turn-key solar solutions designed by in-house engineers.

New-generation supercapacitors can enable up to 8.0 MWh of energy to be stored in a 40-ft containerised solution, making these solutions economically viable.

January-February 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 17