As ultracapacitors play an increasingly important role in the auto industry, Matthew Beecham caught up with Ioxus’ VP of Marketing and Product Management and Co-Founder Chad Hall to run through the opportunities and applications.
How do you see the market for automotive ultracapacitors shaping up?
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While Ioxus ultracapacitors are not currently used in vehicles – we’re currently testing prismatic cells for automotive applications – we are seeing more and more automakers adopt ultracapacitors. For example, Peugeot uses a module that incorporates two 1200 Farad capacitors into its cars’ stop-start systems. I would estimate that there are at least 400,000 Peugeot models on the road in Europe today that employ ultracapacitors. Also, the Toyota Prius has used ultracapacitors in its break module since 2007, and the newer Nissan Leaf has the same design. Higher-end cars see the benefits to this technology, too. For example, Lamborghini now uses ultracapacitors to support the car’s starting system.
To what extent will forthcoming automotive emission control regulations trigger opportunities for ultracaps?
I would say that the CAFE standards are really driving the automotive industry to move toward more fuel efficient vehicles. Within this push toward fuel efficient vehicles, one of the most effective, easiest adjustments to make to vehicles is to incorporate in a stop-start system. Ultracapacitors are quickly proving to be the best technology to use in a stop-start system; batteries alone cannot perform the high cycles required.
We understand that Ioxus has developed a new prismatic ultracap module. What is the difference between conventional cylindrical modules and yours?
Ioxus manufactures both cylindrical and prismatic modules. Our prismatic ultracapacitor cell, also called a THiNCAP, offers 17 percent higher efficiency than a cylindrical cell.
And what made your prismatic ultracap possible?
Within a cylindrical cell, the internal technology of the ultracapacitor is rolled up to look like a can of soda, while prismatic cells are stamped out into a flat shape. In this flat shape, each layer of the ultracapacitor is stacked up inside, alternating with layers of separator, to form a positive, negative, positive, negative pattern within the material. These layers are then welded together and sealed in a pouch. Ioxus’ pouches incorporate patented vents to improve cell life.
Where can it be applied?
Prismatic cells work well in all ultracapacitor applications, and today Ioxus’ prismatic cells are used in large UPS systems, MRI machines, automated guided vehicles, stacker and harbour cranes, photocopiers and other applications. Additionally, we are currently testing our prismatic cells for wind and automotive applications.
Could we turn to your joint venture with EnerSys. What does each partner bring to the alliance?
We are currently working with EnerSys on product development. We believe the partnership offers a great combination of technologies and companies; Ioxus brings high-powered ultracapacitors with smart electronics, while EnerSys offers large-scale market reach and high-quality, energy-rich battery systems. Our goal with this partnership is to join our two advanced technologies to create products with a more efficient design and improved experience for the end user.
What automotive applications will the venture focus on?
Ioxus and EnerSys are looking together for ways to fit our products into aftermarket automotive applications.
Specifically, what will the alliance bring to the automotive market?
Ioxus and EnerSys both bring advanced, high-power and high-energy products to the table. The combination of our technologies and knowledge will create products valuable to any industry, including to the automotive industry via aftermarket applications.
In terms of stop-start technology paired with an ultracap, how fast is this market growing?
Data from Lux Research suggests that stop-start technology in cars is growing rapidly, and that by 2017 we’ll see 40 million cars on the road with some kind of hybrid technology. To put that growth in perspective, there were approximately 5 million cars sold worldwide incorporating some kind of hybrid system. As we see this growth in the sale of hybrid cars, we’re also seeing a growth in the ultracapacitor industry as a whole – it’s expected to be a $7 billion industry by 2020, currently experiencing an incredible 56 percent annual compounded growth rate. As stop-start systems become the new norm in cars, ultracapacitors are quickly becoming the preferred choice for this and other high-growth applications.
I guess ultracaps can be expected to play an even bigger role in all sorts of applications. The automotive market opportunity is clearly huge. If demand takes off for greater use of ultracaps in either stop-start and/or other applications such as regenerative braking, how will you manage the process?
You’re right – that 56 percent annual compounded growth rate for the ultracapacitor industry is significant. We’re already experiencing more product orders each year, and we’re working to continue to develop products that address the needs of customers and differentiate us from the competition. We’re also continuing to evaluate the market as we create our plans for the future, and, right now, we are working to expand our manufacturing capacity; we have equipment ready to go for expansion as soon as the need arises. Down the road, these plans may also include looking for licensing agreements.
Over the years, we’ve seen the application of certain auto technology designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. LEDs in front and rear car lights are one example. Presumably, your ultracap solution will last the lifetime of the vehicle, too?
While ultracapacitors are designed to last the life of the vehicle, whether or not the technology lasts in a particular car depends on how the OEM envisions the systems to function. In many cases, the OEM will push ultracapacitors to higher voltages for more performance. When the OEM wants to use the ultracapacitor at a higher voltage, it will require the ultracapacitor to perform at a higher energy and thus shorten the life cycle. The life cycle, however, is still significantly longer – hundreds of thousands of cycles more – than that of a battery.
Stop-start systems have been on the road for the past six or seven years. Why do you think the automotive industry has not already made the switch to ultracaps?
The remainder of this interview is available on just-auto’s QUBE research service
