Novel Voltage Balancer for an Electric Double Layer Capacitor by using Forward Converter

EDLCs (Electric Double Layer Capacitors) offer high energy density and long life span, so various applications may be anticipated in the realm of energy storage devices, such as those used in electric vehicles or electric power stabilisation in power systems, etc. However, since the voltage limit of the devices is low, it is necessary to connect them in series or parallel. In addition, it is required that they be used in the region of their critical voltage or capacity limits. In order to apply them efficiently, the devices should be used with balanced voltage. Firstly, the authors discuss a conventional method, using a forward converter, and then propose a modified novel simple solution. Characteristics of the proposed circuit are analized and discussed.