Final answer:
Supercapacitors in hybrid vehicles store energy in an electric field; they charge and discharge rapidly, making them suited for regenerative braking systems. This technology improves the efficiency and performance of the vehicle by converting and using the energy from braking to reduce fuel consumption and enhance battery life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic principle of supercapacitors-based energy storage systems in hybrid electric vehicles revolves around storing and rapidly releasing energy. These systems utilize supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors, which are energy storage devices that can charge and discharge at a much faster rate than traditional batteries. Supercapacitors store energy in an electric field, which is created by separating positive and negative charges onto two conducting plates, separated by an insulator, known as the dielectric.
When a vehicle brakes, the mechanical energy, which could be considered gravitational potential energy, is transformed into electrical energy through a process called regenerative braking. This electrical energy is then transferred to the supercapacitor. Due to supercapacitors' quick charge and discharge capabilities, they are ideal for capturing energy from braking and supplying it for quick boosts of power, which benefits the overall efficiency and performance of a hybrid vehicle.
As a result, the hybrid technology enhances the life of the main battery and reduces fuel consumption by allowing the stored energy in the supercapacitor to be used for acceleration or other energy-demanding processes.
Equation for Energy Stored in a Capacitor
The energy (E) stored in a capacitor can be expressed by the equation:
E = 1/2 C V^2
where 'E' is the energy in joules, 'C' is the capacitance in farads, and 'V' is the voltage across the capacitor's plates.