The project demonstrated the validity of the multiport power converter concept with embedded fault tolerance at high power levels. It also advanced the approaches for optimal supercapacitor stack sizing and the design of their interface converters. Finally, innovative methods were developed for the optimal multi-objective sizing and control (power and energy management) of multi-energy systems (e.g. using batteries, fuel cells, photovoltaics, etc.).
Beyond these scientific and technical advancements, the project investigated multiple applications in which the developed multiport power converter concept could be beneficial. It quantitatively assessed the benefits in terms of efficiency, volume, and cost compared to the state of the art. Clear benefits were demonstrated for data centre server supply, grid integration of batteries and charging stations, and vertical farms and greenhouses, among others. In these use cases, loss and volume reduction of 15% to 70% were identified.
Future work will focus on further developing the technology and conducting field testing in collaboration with industry partners, aiming to demonstrate its performance in real-world environments and validate its value proposition.
In the field of supercapacitors, the project has output 3 main materials science developments beyond the state of the art.
First, the templating method allowed the creation of tuneable, highly porous electrodes, minimising diffusion-related performance loss in high areal loading electrodes. This allowed the creation of electrodes with a combination of areal, volumetric, and gravimetric performance which surpasses the state of the art.
Second, techniques which are not reliant on critical point to dry highly porous structures, but instead operate in ambient conditions, and without specialised equipment, were developed. The project demonstrated structures with similar quality and performance without the need for expensive equipment or large amounts of energy, and where there would be no barrier to recycling the solvent used for drying at industrial scales. These techniques have implications for a range of porous structures and aerogels, opening the door to lower-cost and faster production. This innovation is the subject of an invention declaration in TCD.
Last, the project demonstrated a rapid, low-cost solvothermal treatment process for MXene which achieved a >60% capacity improvement in industry standard lithium electrolyte. This material was used to create proof-of-concept pouch cell lithium-ion supercapacitors, using a standard blade casting method to prepare electrodes. This material is being further developed, and follow-on funding is being sought to continue optimisation, and upscaling of the material synthesis. This would pave the way to lithium-ion capacitors which can approach batteries in terms of energy density, while exceeding them in cycle life and power density.
