Abstract: An energy storage device includes a charge storage assembly, an auxiliary storage element, and a charge control circuit. The charge storage assembly includes an array of supercapacitors coupled in series, a plurality of batteries, and a charge retention circuit. Each of the plurality of batteries is electrically coupled to a corresponding supercapacitor in the array of supercapacitors. The charge retention circuit is configured to maintain a charge state of at least one supercapacitor in the array of supercapacitors when the at least one supercapacitor is in an idle state. A charge control circuit is configured to selectively transfer charge between the at least one supercapacitor in the array of supercapacitors and the auxiliary storage element.
Abstract: An energy storage device includes a charge storage assembly, an auxiliary storage element, and a charge control circuit. The charge storage assembly includes an array of supercapacitors coupled in series, a plurality of batteries, and a charge retention circuit. Each of the plurality of batteries is electrically coupled to a corresponding supercapacitor in the array of supercapacitors. The charge retention circuit is configured to maintain a charge state of at least one supercapacitor in the array of supercapacitors when the at least one supercapacitor is in an idle state. A charge control circuit is configured to selectively transfer charge between the at least one supercapacitor in the array of supercapacitors and the auxiliary storage element.
Abstract: An apparatus and method for aggregating and supplying energy includes a plurality of power modules for inverting a first type of electrical power, which is supplied to the power modules from multiple sources of power, to a second type of electrical power at an output of the power modules for delivery of the inverted power to a storage device for future use, or to an electrical load, or to a regional or central utility grid. A microcontroller (the “power microcontroller”) is carried by and incorporated within each of the power modules and each is configured for controlling the power inversion operations. A microcontroller (the “control microcontroller”) carried by the control module is configured for monitoring voltage levels within the at least one energy storage device and for rebalancing voltage within the energy storage device and for correcting lead and lag power factor. Means for selectively supplying power received from said multiple disparate sources of power to the destination are provided.