Compact, fully integrated 125V Boostcap ultracapacitor module provides an easy-to-integrate building block for scalable energy storage and power delivery solutions for electric vehicles.

Maxwell Technologies has introduced a compact, fully integrated 125V Boostcap ultracapacitor module to provide an easy-to-integrate building block for scalable energy storage and power delivery solutions for heavy hybrid and electric vehicles and heavy duty industrial applications requiring up to 1500V. Dr Richard Balanson, Maxwell's President and Chief Executive Officer, said that the new HTM BMOD0063-P125 module is based on 2.7V Boostcap MC3000 power cells and incorporates proprietary balancing, monitoring and thermal management capabilities to ensure industry-leading charge/discharge performance, high reliability and long operational life. 'This high-performance module is designed specifically to satisfy rapidly growing global demand for ultracapacitor-based braking energy recuperation and torque assist systems for hybrid bus and truck drive trains and electric rail vehicles', Balanson said.

'It meets or exceeds transportation industry requirements for watt-hours of energy storage and watts of power delivery per kilogram, and is designed to perform reliably through one million or more deep charge/discharge cycles, which equates to more than 15 years of operational life'.

Michael Everett, Maxwell's Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, said that integrated monitoring capabilities and a highly efficient cooling configuration enable the new module to sustain continuous current of up to 150A with minimal temperature increase in high-temperature environments.

'In addition to managing high current, this module is built to withstand the harsh environments and extremely demanding duty cycles that are typical with heavy transportation applications', Everett said.

'Proprietary design refinements and material science also are significantly reducing manufacturing cost, positioning Maxwell to compete favourably with other energy storage alternatives'.

The HTM BMOD0063-125 is encased in a rugged, splash-proof, IP65-compliant, aluminium chassis, weighs less than 50kg and measures 315 x 425 x 744mm.

Up to 12 modules may be linked in series to deliver a total of us much as 1500V.

Maxwell also offers a complete line of standard 15 to 48V multicell packs and modules, and recently announced a 'quick-turn' programme that offers shipment within 14 days of receipt of a customer purchase order for custom-configured modules for applications requiring up to 540V.