KEPCO Advances Hybrid ESS Development... "Capable of 500,000 Charge-Discharge Cycles"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is embarking on the development of a hybrid-type Energy Storage System (ESS). The hybrid ESS is a product that extends lifespan and enhances safety compared to conventional ESS.

KEPCO’s Electric Power Research Institute announced on the 25th that it is conducting a research project titled ‘Development and Demonstration of MW-class High-Capacity Supercapacitor System’ in collaboration with fuel cell company Vinatek. The Electric Power Research Institute and Vinatek plan to develop MW-class long-life, high-capacity supercapacitors as well as hybrid ESS operation technologies by December next year.

Supercapacitors are a technology that stores electricity in the form of electrostatic charge. Unlike conventional batteries, they do not involve chemical reactions, allowing for faster charging and discharging speeds and longer lifespans. By utilizing supercapacitor technology, it is possible to achieve over 500,000 charge-discharge cycles, enabling the creation of ESS that can be used for more than 15 years. Another advantage is that maintenance costs are lower compared to existing ESS. KEPCO envisions using supercapacitor-based ESS and batteries in a hybrid form at substations and other facilities.

KEPCO’s initiative to develop hybrid ESS aims to overcome the drawbacks of renewable energy, which experiences large fluctuations in power generation depending on weather conditions. Previously, frequency regulation ESS was used to compensate for the intermittency of renewable energy. However, frequent frequency fluctuations increased the number of charge-discharge cycles, leading not only to shortened battery lifespan but also to cases of fire. While some advanced countries have already started developing hybrid ESS, no cases have yet reached the demonstration stage.

KEPCO recently established an ESS demonstration system at the Gochang Power Test Center in Jeonbuk. After developing core technologies for hybrid ESS, KEPCO intends to secure a commercialization model and take the lead in overseas markets.

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