Ultracapacitors help fuels cells replace lead-acid batteries

A hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer is using ultracapacitors to enhance performance and energy management in its drop-in replacement for lead acid batteries in forklifts. General Hydrogen (GH), a developer of fuel cell systems and hydrogen fueling technologies, placed a 200,000 unit, three-year order for Maxwell's Boostcap ultracapacitors, to be used for GH's Hydricity Pack ...

By Staff March 1, 2006

A hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer is using ultracapacitors to enhance performance and energy management in its drop-in replacement for lead acid batteries in forklifts. General Hydrogen (GH), a developer of fuel cell systems and hydrogen fueling technologies, placed a 200,000 unit, three-year order for Maxwell’s Boostcap ultracapacitors, to be used for GH’s Hydricity Pack Power Systems.

Each Hydricity system incorporates 30-120 Boostcap MC2600 2,600-farad ultracapacitor cells, says Richard Balanson, Maxwell president and CEO. GH anticipates rapid growth the next three years, says Balanson, adding, “This is one of dozens of high-volume industrial and transportation applications that are creating a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for ultracapacitors in the coming decade.” Frank Trotter, General Hydrogen president and CEO, says ultracapacitors help triple forklift runtime, eliminating the average three lead-acid battery sets per vehicle and extensive related infrastructure; “Ultracapacitors’ burst power capabilities, energy recapture efficiency, and long operating life make them an ideal complement to hydrogen fuel cells.”


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