Power Grid Applications

Substations

Modern substations are shrinking in size while also handling higher-frequency, bi-directional, and high-voltage loads, pushing power components beyond their ratings.

Peak NanoPlex capacitor films make these changes possible by sustaining higher temperatures without derating, increasing lifetime when maintenance access is limited, shrinking device size when space is at a premium, and managing higher sustained voltages for an 800VDC world.

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Engineered for the Thermal and Ripple Limits of Modern Substations

High-density transformers and self-heating in sealed enclosures cause legacy capacitors to fail early, drift in capacitance, and require more maintenance as inverter-dominated loads push ripple current and harmonic distortion higher.

NanoPlex LDF capacitor films hold full rated capacitance to 135°C and last up to 5x longer under combined thermal and electrical stress, cutting ripple by 40% and lowering total harmonic distortion to protect transformers and sensitive downstream equipment.
NanoPlex HDC capacitor films deliver 4x energy density in the same footprint, enabling capacitor banks up to 50% smaller and 30% lighter without adding component count.

Capacitance that Doesn’t Derate Under Thermal Stress

Substations are getting hotter, with inverter-based generation, solid-state conversion, and rising switching frequencies simultaneously pushing more ripple current, harmonic distortion, and loss density into an enclosed and shrinking space.
NanoPlex LDF films deliver full-rated capacitance up to 135°C with no derating, shrinkage, or performance loss. They are drop-in replaceable for legacy materials with self-healing properties needed for device longevity.
Generation and distribution sides are pressuring utilities to build smaller, smarter, and more reliable grid infrastructure. NanoPlex LDF capacitors enable this while reducing supply-chain risk, shortening lead-times. Ideal for snubber, filtering, power factor correction, and HVDC capacitors

Scale Performance Where Space is Limited

Substations are shrinking, siting underground or coming pre-fabricated before site install. When space is limited, adding costly device cooling or redundant units to meet the load demands is not an option.
NanoPlex HDC film scale capacitors where traditional designs stop, delivering up to 4x more energy density in the same footprint. This enables higher performance without adding size, weight, or extra components.
Engineers increase energy density, streamlining installation and cutting infrastructure costs. The result is a reliable, high-density solution ideal for E-House and underground designs.

Stabilize Voltage and Protect the Grid

Substations face rising harmonic distortion from inverter-based renewables, storage systems, and shifting industrial loads. These harmonics create electrical noise that overheats equipment, degrades power quality, and threatens the reliability of sensitive downstream electronics. Traditional capacitors struggle to filter these high-frequency distortions.
NanoPlex capacitor films are engineered with ultra-low ESR and high-frequency response, allowing them to suppress harmonics across a wide spectrum. With total harmonic distortion (THD) below 3%, they stabilize voltage, reduce noise, and improve power factor in power factor correction systems.
Utilities and OEMs can deliver high electrical quality, cleaner, more reliable power from substations, protect critical infrastructure, and extend equipment life. With controlled harmonics, substations operate more efficiently, reduce maintenance costs, and maintain compliance with increasingly strict power quality standards.

Stable Power for Long-Distance Transmission

Long HVDC cable runs and shifting loads introduce voltage ripple that traditional capacitors struggle to smooth out. This instability weakens grid performance, increases losses, and puts sensitive equipment at risk across renewable and cross-border networks.
NanoPlex LDF capacitor films hold full rated capacitance to 135°C with no derating, so they don't lose performance under the continuous duty HVDC converter stations demand. Ultra-low ESR cuts ripple by 40% and holds total harmonic distortion below 3%, while lasting up to 5x longer under combined thermal and electrical stress.
Utilities and operators can maintain tighter voltage control over long distances, protect critical equipment, and deliver higher power quality. The result is more reliable HVDC transmission, better integration of renewable energy, and fewer replacement cycles on infrastructure that's expensive to access once installed.

Withstanding the Elements Surrounding Substations

NanoPlex LDF capacitor films are hermetically sealed and chemically resistant, preventing moisture, salt, and pollutant ingress in vault and coastal environments. Their design ensures stable operation as more substations move underground or into sealed, land-constrained enclosures where exposure to the elements can't be inspected or corrected easily.
Capacitor banks last up to 5x longer under combined thermal and electrical stress, with ultra-low ESR limiting the self-heating that compounds fastest inside a sealed enclosure. Fewer failures mean fewer maintenance cycles, less downtime, and lower replacement costs, critical where a single service visit means excavating a vault or descending 100+ feet below grade rather than walking out to an open yard.

Secure Substations with a Stable Domestic Supply

NanoPlex capacitor films are engineered and manufactured in the U.S., using materials sourced exclusively from allied nations. A domestic supply provides a secure and resilient supply chain.
Over 70% of capacitor film is imported, leaving utilities and OEMs exposed to geopolitical risk, long lead times, and unpredictable costs. Traditional capacitors built on these imports create uncertainty for critical substation projects.
Manufacturers and utilities can have confidence in a reliable, North American supply of capacitor film that meets Buy American standards, cuts delivery risk, and supports cost control for long-term grid modernization.

Traditional Capacitors vs. Peak NanoPlex™ Capacitors

NanoPlex capacitors improve power quality, reduce costs, and ensure reliable performance in the high-heat, high-frequency, space-constrained environments of modern substations.

Category	Traditional Capacitors	Peak NanoPlex Capacitors
Operating Temperature	Derate above 85°C, requiring oversizing or active cooling	LDF runs reliably at 135°C with no derating, even in sealed or underground substations
Energy Density	Low density; more units needed to meet demand	HDC stores 4x higher energy density, enabling 50% smaller and 30% lighter capacitor banks
Service Life	Short lifespan under heat, ripple, and cycling → frequent replacements	LDF lasts up to 5x longer, reducing failures, downtime, and O&M costs
Power Quality	Struggle with ripple and harmonics; voltage drift under fast switching	Ultra-low ESR design cuts ripple by 40%, lowers THD below 3%, and stabilizes voltage
Efficiency	Higher dissipation factor → more self-heating, wasted energy	Lower dissipation factor, runs cooler, reduces losses, and improves efficiency
Scalability	Bulky designs can’t scale performance in tight substations	HDC delivers more power in the same footprint, enabling compact, high-capacity capacitor banks
Environmental Durability	Vulnerable to moisture, salt, and pollutants → corrosion and early failures	Hermetically sealed and chemically resistant, ensuring reliable operation in harsh sites
Deployment	Require retooling or redesign to upgrade	LDF's drop-in replacement offers no retooling and no redesign
Supply Chain	Over 70% of film imported → exposed to geopolitical risk, long lead times	100% U.S.-engineered and manufactured with allied-sourced materials for secure supply

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional capacitors degrade quickly in enclosed, high-heat, or moisture-prone environments. NanoPlex LDF films are hermetically sealed, chemically resistant, and run at full performance up to 135°C with no derating, ideal for sealed or underground substations.

Bulky capacitor banks take up space and limit capacity expansion. NanoPlex HDC capacitor films deliver 4x the energy density of traditional films, allowing utilities to cut bank size by up to 50% while increasing performance in the same footprint.

Most capacitors fail every 2–3 years under high heat, ripple, and harmonics. NanoPlex LDF films last up to 5x longer, even in extreme environments, reducing maintenance cycles, downtime, and replacement costs.

Inverter-heavy grids introduce harmonics and ripple that traditional capacitors struggle to filter. NanoPlex capacitor films use ultra-low ESR design to cut ripple by 40% and keep THD (total harmonic distortion) below 3%, delivering cleaner, more stable power for sensitive equipment.

Over 70% of capacitor films are imported, creating risk from supply chain delays and geopolitical factors. NanoPlex capacitor films are fully engineered and manufactured in the U.S. with allied-sourced materials, ensuring a secure and resilient supply.