Modern grids face unprecedented complexity from renewable integration, rising demand, and aging infrastructure. C-Link modules deliver rapid-response capacity to balance supply and demand, stabilize distribution systems, and enhance reliability. Millisecond response capacity is needed to add resilience, optimize asset utilization, and simplify grid operations.
Millisecond Power Quality Protection for Grid Stability
So, what is complicating the grid?
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Renewable Integration
Solar and wind generation create supply fluctuations that challenge grid stability. Optimizing renewable asset utilization while maintaining reliability requires rapid-response capacity.
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Rising Demand
Electric vehicles, connected devices, and growing populations increase demand, especially during peak hours, straining grid capacity and creating more frequent power spikes.
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Aging Infrastructure
Many grid components (transmission lines, transformers) are outdated and less reliable, leading to more frequent failures and maintenance needs.
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Electrification
Transportation and heating sectors switching to electric power create demand surges, requiring new infrastructure and energy storage solutions.
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Grid Decentralization
Microgrids, rooftop solar, and distributed storage add complexity to grid management, requiring sophisticated control and coordination.
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Extreme Weather
Frequent storms, heatwaves, and wildfires disrupt power lines, transformers, and substations, causing outages and equipment damage.
C-Link Simplifies Grid Operations
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Reduce Operating Costs
Deploy C-Link supercapacitor modules for ancillary services like frequency regulation and voltage support while reducing battery degradation and extending operational life of grid assets.
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Scalability
Modular design enables hundreds of installation configurations. Modules connect in series and parallel to match requirements. Installation-ready systems deploy in days, not months.
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Enhance Renewable Sources
C-Link supercapacitor modules smooth fluctuations, like clouds passing over a solar farm, that disturb grid stability or unnecessarily burden medium and long-duration energy storage resources.
C-Link supercapacitor modules deliver millisecond response and high power density with long operational life, smoothing power fluctuations on the distribution grid to increase reliability and resilience. Support large ramping loads with confidence by simplifying load profiles and reduce backlog interconnection requests.
Use Case Example
A connection request is received from a data center with 200MW nominal demand and 50MW power demand surges caused by artificial intelligence workloads. There is sufficient capacity on the grid to satisfy the 200MW nominal demand, but demand surges may cause brownout or blackout conditions. The decision is made to add capacity to the grid, which is expected to take 3-5 years.
Solutions:
Combine C-Link modules with existing power generation resources, such as within the trunk bus of solar farms, to smooth the 50MW fluctuations.
Mount C-Link modules on fences and walls at a substation dedicated to the data center to smooth the 50MW fluctuations.
Why it Works:
Low $/kW and total cost of ownership
Minimal permitting
Fast lead times
Easy deployment and commissioning
Enable Ancillary Services
Power Quality Support Stabilize voltage and frequency on the grid during disturbances with millisecond response
Synthetic Inertia Mimic the stabilizing effect of conventional power plants to maintain grid frequency during disturbances
Fault Ride-Through Instantaneously deliver surge power needed during fault conditions to maintain stability