Supercapacitors as Key Enablers of Decarbonization and Renewable Energy Expansion in Poland

Abstract

Decarbonization and the replacement of coal-fired power plants with solar and wind farms require adequately large energy storage facilities. This is especially important in countries such as Poland, which still do not have a nuclear power plant. Supercapacitors represent a new generation of energy storage. The paper demonstrates that the use of supercapacitors presents an opportunity to increase the share of solar and wind power plants in the energy market. Furthermore, there is no need to replace all coal plants (that are being gradually decommissioned) with nuclear ones. The paper underscores that any further decarbonization and increase in the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the Polish energy market necessitates the deployment of large energy storage facilities. Rechargeable batteries have a short lifespan, and their production results in significant greenhouse gas emissions. The widespread use of supercapacitors in a new generation of energy storage unveils new possibilities and bolsters decarbonization efforts. Based on an annual analysis of hourly electricity production from wind farms and PVs, a formula is proposed to calculate the capacity of energy storage necessary for the operation of the grid-powered national electricity, mainly from RES.