Volumetric Energy Density

Calculator and formulas for calculating the volumetric energy density

Volumetric Energy Density Calculator

Calculate energy density per volume

Calculates the volumetric energy density (energy per volume). Important parameter for energy storage, fuels and storage systems.

J/m³
J
m³
Result
Energy density:
Energy:
Volume:

Example Calculation

Example: Gasoline Tank
Problem:

A gasoline tank with 50 liters (0.05 m³) capacity stores 1,760,000,000 J of energy. What is the volumetric energy density?

Given:
  • Volume V = 50 L = 0.05 m³
  • Energy E = 1,760,000,000 J = 1.76 GJ
  • Find: Volumetric energy density w
Solution:
\[w = \frac{E}{V}\]
\[w = \frac{1{,}760{,}000{,}000 \text{ J}}{0{.}05 \text{ m³}}\]
\[w = 35{,}200{,}000{,}000 \text{ J/m³} = 35{.}2 \text{ GJ/m³}\]
Practical Applications
Energy storage: Batteries, capacitors, compressed air storage
Fuels: Gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, natural gas
Storage systems: Pumped storage, compressed air, thermal storage
Typical Energy Densities
Fuels
  • Gasoline: 32 GJ/m³
  • Diesel: 36 GJ/m³
  • Natural gas: 36 MJ/m³
Batteries
  • Li-Ion: 1.8 GJ/m³
  • Lead-acid: 0.17 GJ/m³
  • Capacitor: 0.01 GJ/m³

Formulas for volumetric energy density

The volumetric energy density is a measure of energy per unit volume of a substance. SI unit: Joule per cubic meter (J/m³). Important parameter for storage systems and space constraints.

Calculate energy density

Basic formula for volumetric energy density from energy and volume.

\[\displaystyle w = \frac{E}{V}\]
w = Energy density [J/m³]
Calculate energy

Rearrangement to calculate the stored energy.

\[\displaystyle E = w \times V\]
E = Energy [J]
Calculate volume

Rearrangement to calculate the required volume.

\[\displaystyle V = \frac{E}{w}\]
V = Volume [m³]
Important Notes
  • Volumetric energy density is important for space constraints (volume matters)
  • Distinction between theoretical and practical energy density
  • Fuels typically have higher energy densities than batteries
  • Important factor for storage design and transport efficiency

Detailed description of volumetric energy density

Definition and Significance

This function calculates the volumetric energy density. The volumetric energy density is a measure of energy per unit volume of a substance (SI unit: Joule per cubic meter).

Usage Instructions

To calculate, select the value to be calculated using the radio buttons. Then enter the corresponding value and click the 'Calculate' button.

Application Areas

Energy Storage

Batteries, capacitors, compressed air storage, flywheel storage. Evaluation of storage capacity per unit volume.

Fuels

Gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, natural gas, biomass. Comparison of different energy carriers for transport and storage.

Storage Systems

Pumped storage, compressed air, thermal storage, hydrogen tanks. Dimensioning of energy storage systems.

Energy Densities in Comparison

The volumetric energy density varies greatly between different energy carriers and determines their suitability for space-critical applications:

Very high (>10 GJ/m³)

Diesel: 36 GJ/m³
Gasoline: 32 GJ/m³
Heating oil: 37 GJ/m³

Medium (0.1-10 GJ/m³)

Li-Ion battery: 1.8 GJ/m³
Hydrogen (700 bar): 5.6 GJ/m³
Wood: 10 GJ/m³

Low (<0.1 GJ /m³)

Lead-acid battery: 0.17 GJ/m³
Capacitors: 0.01 GJ/m³
Natural gas (1 bar): 0.036 GJ/m³

Conclusion: Liquid fuels have the highest volumetric energy densities, but batteries can deliver energy directly electrically!


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