Futuristic cityscape powered by supercapacitors and a smart grid.

Smart Grids for Everyone: How Supercapacitors Can Power a Sustainable Future

Nico Varela in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how passivity-based control in supercapacitor energy storage systems (SCES) is making single-phase grids more efficient and reliable."

Imagine a world where your electricity is less affected by weather and more reliable, thanks to advanced energy storage. Integrating small-scale distributed generation into our power grids is increasingly important. This requires efficient energy storage systems to smooth out the variability of renewable energy sources, minimizing negative impacts on the main electrical grid.

For low-voltage distribution networks, supercapacitors are emerging as a top choice, alongside batteries and superconducting coils. Supercapacitors stand out because they need fewer components, which lowers costs. Unlike batteries, supercapacitors can handle hundreds of thousands of charge and discharge cycles without losing performance. This makes them perfect for applications needing high power density and long-term reliability.

To fully take advantage of supercapacitors, we need effective control strategies for the power electronic converters that manage them. While traditional methods like proportional-integral (PI) controllers, feedback linearizations, and fuzzy-logic controllers exist, many rely on Park's transformation via virtual signals to mimic three-phase electrical systems. A new approach uses Hamiltonian formulation, providing a stable way to integrate supercapacitors into single-phase low-voltage distribution networks without these complex transformations.

What is Passivity-Based Control (PBC) and How Does it Improve Grid Stability?

Futuristic cityscape powered by supercapacitors and a smart grid.

Passivity-Based Control (PBC) is a control technique that ensures the stability of a system by using its natural energy properties. In the context of supercapacitor energy storage systems (SCES), PBC manages the interchange of active and reactive power between the SCES and the distribution network. This method guarantees closed-loop stability through a Hamiltonian formulation, making the system robust and efficient under various operating conditions.

The core of this control strategy lies in the mathematical modeling of the SCES connected to a single-phase grid. The system's dynamics can be described using equations that represent the inductance and resistance of the transformer, the capacitance of the supercapacitor, and the voltage at the point of common coupling. These equations capture how energy flows within the system and how it interacts with the grid.

Inductance and Resistance: These parameters define how the transformer responds to changes in current and voltage.
Supercapacitor Capacitance: This determines how much energy the SCES can store and release.
Voltage at Common Coupling: This is the point where the SCES connects to the grid, and its voltage needs to be carefully controlled.

By formulating the system as a port-Hamiltonian (pH) system, engineers can design a control law that modifies the energy storage function. This ensures stability in the sense of Lyapunov, a concept that guarantees the system will return to a stable state after a disturbance. The PBC approach uses a time-domain analysis to create a control law that dynamically adjusts the energy within the system, maintaining grid stability and efficiency.

The Future of Energy Storage: Reliable, Efficient, and Accessible

The research presented in this paper shows that passivity-based control offers a promising solution for integrating supercapacitor energy storage systems into single-phase grids. By using the natural reference frame of the SCES, the control strategy independently manages active and reactive power, ensuring grid stability and efficiency. Simulation results confirm that this approach can effectively control power flow, even when the grid experiences voltage sags. This highlights the potential for SCES to enhance grid resilience and support a more sustainable energy future.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1109/lascas.2018.8399963, Alternate LINK

Title: Apparent Power Control In Single-Phase Grids Using Sces Devices: An Ida-Pbc Approach

Journal: 2018 IEEE 9th Latin American Symposium on Circuits & Systems (LASCAS)

Publisher: IEEE

Authors: Oscar Danilo Montoya, Alejandro Garces Ruiz, Fedrico M. Serra, Guillermo Magaldi

Published: 2018-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are supercapacitors and why are they a good choice for energy storage in low-voltage distribution networks?

Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that are emerging as a top choice for low-voltage distribution networks, alongside batteries and superconducting coils. Unlike batteries, they can handle hundreds of thousands of charge and discharge cycles without significant performance degradation. This characteristic makes them ideal for applications requiring high power density and long-term reliability. Supercapacitors offer a simpler design with fewer components, resulting in reduced costs compared to alternative storage solutions.

How does Passivity-Based Control (PBC) work to improve grid stability in Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems (SCES)?

Passivity-Based Control (PBC) is a control technique that leverages the natural energy properties of the system to ensure stability. In the context of Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems (SCES), PBC manages the active and reactive power interchange between the SCES and the distribution network. This method, implemented using a Hamiltonian formulation, guarantees closed-loop stability. The PBC approach utilizes a time-domain analysis to create a control law that dynamically adjusts the energy within the system, ensuring grid stability and efficiency. This is particularly important during grid disturbances.

What are the key components considered when modeling a Supercapacitor Energy Storage System (SCES) for Passivity-Based Control?

When modeling a Supercapacitor Energy Storage System (SCES) for Passivity-Based Control (PBC), several key components are considered. These include the inductance and resistance of the transformer, which define the system's response to changes in current and voltage; the capacitance of the supercapacitor, which determines its energy storage and release capabilities; and the voltage at the point of common coupling, where the SCES connects to the grid. These parameters are essential for understanding and controlling energy flow within the system.

What are the benefits of using a Hamiltonian formulation for Passivity-Based Control (PBC) in Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems (SCES)?

The Hamiltonian formulation in Passivity-Based Control (PBC) provides a stable method for integrating Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems (SCES) into single-phase low-voltage distribution networks. By using this formulation, engineers can design a control law that modifies the energy storage function and ensures stability in the sense of Lyapunov. This means the system will return to a stable state after a disturbance. This approach avoids the need for complex transformations, such as Park's transformation, which are often used in traditional control methods. Moreover, it enables the independent management of active and reactive power, which is crucial for grid stability and efficiency.

How does the use of Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems (SCES) with Passivity-Based Control (PBC) contribute to a more sustainable energy future?

The integration of Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems (SCES) with Passivity-Based Control (PBC) contributes to a more sustainable energy future by enhancing grid resilience and efficiency. Supercapacitors, with their ability to handle numerous charge-discharge cycles, support the integration of renewable energy sources. Passivity-Based Control ensures stable and efficient power flow, even during voltage sags. This combination allows for more reliable electricity supply, reduces the impact of weather-related disruptions, and supports the broader adoption of renewable energy technologies in single-phase grids.