Ansys announced that an ultracapacitor components library from Maxwell Technologies has been made available for use in Simplorer technology. As a result, automotive, aerospace and industrial power engineers developing hybrid vehicles and other electric-powered products and systems now can utilize the energy-storage device models in their simulations. Ultracapacitors are energy-storage devices that deliver bursts of high power and recharge rapidly from any energy source over hundreds of thousands to millions of cycles.

Maxwell’s BOOSTCAP ultracapacitor products currently are being used for backup power in wind turbines and other industrial applications and for braking energy recuperation and torque assist in low-emission, fuel-efficient hybrid-electric/internal-combustion transit buses and electric rail vehicles. They also have been designed into hybrid trucks and automobiles that will move into production over the next few years.

Compared to batteries, BOOSTCAP cells deliver up to 100 times the power, last more than 100 times as long, operate more reliably in high- and low-temperature conditions, require little or no maintenance, and reduce environmental issues associated with battery disposal. The ultracapacitor model library is already being utilized within Simplorer software at Argonne National Laboratory, which supports the U.S. Department of Energy's mission of providing the nation with a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly energy supply.