Methods and systems are provided for powering an imaging system. In one embodiment, a system comprises a direct current (DC) bus, an x-ray source coupled to the DC bus, a power distribution unit (PDU) with an input coupled to a three-phase alternating current (AC) source and an output coupled to the DC bus, and an energy storage apparatus comprising a supercapacitor, the energy storage apparatus coupled to the DC bus and configured to store electrical energy output by the PDU in the supercapacitor, and output the stored electrical energy directly to the DC bus for powering the x-ray source. In this way, an x-ray source of an imaging system may be adequately powered beyond the limitations of a PDU without upgrading the electrical utilities of a hospital and without upgrading the PDU. The supercapacitor is protected by FPGA by measuring input current, voltage, temperature, and voltage balance.