With AlpenFury, Canada’s Wonderland introduces one of the most advanced Launch Coaster systems in North America. Designed and delivered by Premier Rides, the ride sets new benchmarks in performance, scale, and energy demand.
To meet these requirements, Stercom supplied a customized energy storage solution based on Lithium-Titanate (LTO) technology, combined with an integrated auxiliary power supply converter to ensure maximum operational reliability.
The Challenge
Launch Coaster systems are characterized by extremely high peak power demands within very short time intervals. In large-scale installations such as AlpenFury, operating with multiple trains simultaneously, these requirements are significantly increased.
Key challenges included:
- Managing peak power demands of up to 3.3 MW
- Ensuring stable operation under fluctuating grid conditions
- Maintaining system availability in case of grid disturbances
- Supporting continuous high-energy demand during operation
The Solution
LTO-Based Energy Storage System
Stercom implemented a high-performance Lithium-Titanate (LTO) energy storage system specifically designed for applications with demanding load profiles.
The System:
- Delivers and buffers peak power of up to 3.3 MW
- Enables rapid charge and discharge cycles
- Supports continuous and repeatable launch sequences
- Reduces peak load impact on the grid
Compared to ultracapacitor-based solutions, LTO technology was selected due to its ability to provide both high power and sustained energy delivery, which is essential for large-scale Launch Coaster systems with multiple trains.
Auxiliary Power Supply Converter
A key element of the system architecture is the integrated auxiliary power supply converter.
This component:
- Converts stored energy into a stable and controlled power supply for auxiliaries
- Enables operation of critical subsystems, including:
- control systems
- safety systems
- auxiliary loads such as motors, lighting, ...
- Supports continued operation in case of grid disturbances
The system is capable of sustaining multiple launch cycles (2–3) using stored energy, even in the event of a grid failure.
Operational Safety & System Resilience
The combination of LTO energy storage and auxiliary power supply significantly enhances system resilience.
In the event of grid instability or outages:
- Critical systems remain fully operational
- Launch sequences can be completed in a controlled manner
- A safe and controlled ride exit is ensured
- The risk of system interruption in critical positions is minimized
This enables a highly reliable and partially grid-independent operation, which is essential for safety-critical applications such as Launch Coaster systems.
Technology Selection: LTO vs. Ultracapacitors
While ultracapacitors are optimized for short-duration peak power delivery, the operational profile of AlpenFury requires both high power and continuous energy availability.
Lithium-Titanate technology provides:
- High energy capacity
- Excellent cycle life
- Fast charge and discharge capability
- Stable performance under continuous high-load conditions
This makes LTO the preferred solution for large-scale, high-frequency Launch Coaster applications.
Project Highlights
- Deployment at Canada’s Wonderland
- Large-scale Launch Coaster system with multi-train operation
- Peak power capability of up to 3.3 MW
- LTO-based energy storage system
- Integrated auxiliary power supply converter
- Enhanced operational safety and system resilience
- Designed for continuous high-demand operation
Conclusion
The successful implementation of the AlpenFury project demonstrates Stercom’s capability to deliver advanced energy storage solutions for demanding industrial and mobility applications.
By combining high-performance LTO storage with intelligent power conversion, the system ensures not only maximum performance but also a high level of operational safety and reliability under extreme conditions.
