170272 20260410165451.0 doi 10.1016/j.ecmx.2026.101785 sideral 148816 ART-2026-148816 eng Giovannucci, Monica Hybrid energy storage through the passive connection of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery and a supercapacitor: An experimental, modelling, economic and environmental impact assessment study 2026 Developing a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) involves integrating technologies with complementary attributes. Coupling Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs) with Supercapacitors (SCs) emerges as one of the most promising options. For the first time at our knowledge, here we report about a study on the passive HESS VRFB-SC configuration that was investigated through experimental tests, modelling, life cycle and economic assessments. Indeed, we present a laboratory-sized HESS comprising a Vanadium Redox Flow Cell (VRFC) and a SC, directly connected in parallel without any power converter. Initially, individual tests were conducted on the standalone VRFB and SC using short discharge protocols (5 s). Subsequently, the two systems were interconnected in parallel and subjected to the same discharge protocol. An equivalent electrical model, resembling a parallel R-C circuit, was developed to elucidate the discharge mechanism of the direct parallel system. The tests revealed that the SC mitigates the VRFB’s ohmic drop due to the transient behaviour of the R-C circuit. Furthermore, the hybrid system demonstrated enhanced energy delivery at higher currents compared to the standalone VRFB, a phenomenon elucidated by our proposed model. Additionally, the model facilitates the sizing of the SC relative to VRFB performance. In addition to technical findings, this article provides a comprehensive economic analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) of the proposed system. These assessments highlight the potential cost-effectiveness and reduced global warming potential of the passively connected VRFB-SC HESS, underscoring its viability as a sustainable energy storage solution. Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/963550/EU/ HyFlow: Development of a sustainable hybrid storage system based on high power vanadium redox flow battery and supercapacitor – technology/HyFlow This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No H2020 963550-HyFlow info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Petri, Elisabetta Brilloni, Alessandro Heigl, Eva-Maria Zauner, Andreas Oyarbide, Estanis Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-4834-940X Charvát, Jirí Soavi, Francesca 5008 785 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Ingeniería Electrón.Com. Área Tecnología Electrónica 30 (2026), 101785 [14 pp.] Energy Conversion and Management: X 2590-1745 6473781 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/170272/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2582481 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/170272/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:170272 articulos driver 2026-04-10-13:45:37 ARTICLE