A UPV/EHU research project uses charcoal obtained from Pinus radiata remains to create a hybrid supercapacitor for energy storage.
The Solid State and Materials Group has developed a lithium-ion capacitor with electrodes created from discarded wood particles from sawmills, a type of biomass accessible in the Basque Country. Sustainable and economical processes have been used to generate the electrodes. The results show that biomass-derived materials have excellent characteristics for obtaining ecological and economical high-power energy storage systems.
Eider Goikolea and Idoia Ruiz de Larramendi, lecturers at the UPV/EHU and members of the research group, are developing materials for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage technologies. ‘We are developing new materials that can be used to store energy. In this case, we have made coals from particles of wood from the insignis pine tree present in our environment and used in carpentry. After all, this sawdust is not used for anything, but it has a high carbon content,’ explains Idoia Ruiz de Larramendi.
Energy storage systems play a crucial role in sustainable solutions, facilitating the regulation between generating and using renewable energies. Researcher Eider Goikolea highlights the importance of storing energy, given that natural elements such as wind and light are uncontrollable and generation is not always aligned with consumption levels.
Batteries and supercapacitors store energy, although the latter delivers more power in less time. The researchers have developed a hybrid lithium-ion device that combines the best of both: high storage capacity and resistance to multiple charge and discharge cycles. For their electrodes, they used different types of carbon, with carbon obtained from insignis pine standing out for its efficiency. In addition, they prioritized sustainable and economical processes, with low temperatures and accessible additives. Their study demonstrates that local biomass is a viable alternative for improving lithium-ion capacitors and advancing sustainable energy solutions.
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