Energy Storage: Batteries, Supercapacitors, Fuel Cells & Solar Guide
Energy storage captures energy for later use and helps balance supply and demand. These guides compare batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells, and cover solar energy and second-life battery applications.
Start here
The basics of storing energy.
Battery technologies
Chemistries used in vehicles and beyond.
Supercapacitors, fuel cells & solar
Storage and generation beyond conventional batteries.
Understanding a Supercapacitor
High power density and long cycle life.
What Is a Fuel Cell?
How a fuel cell converts chemical energy to electricity.
The Hydrogen Car
How fuel cell electric vehicles work.
Solar Cell Basics
How solar cells use the photovoltaic effect.
Understanding Solar Energy
How energy from the sun is generated.
Frequently asked questions
What is energy storage?
Energy storage is the process of capturing energy generated at one time for use later, which helps balance differences between energy demand and production.
How does a supercapacitor differ from a battery?
A supercapacitor stores energy by separating charge in an electrolyte rather than through chemical reactions, which gives high power density and a long cycle life.
How does a fuel cell work?
A fuel cell converts chemical energy directly into electricity, water and heat. Hydrogen and air are fed to an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte.
What are second-life batteries?
Second-life batteries are used electric-vehicle batteries repurposed for other applications, such as grid energy storage, instead of being discarded.
Prefer a simple list? See every article in the Energy Storage category, or browse all categories.