A system for providing electrical power to a load includes a boost converter with an input and an output. The boost converter is configured to receive power at a first voltage at the input, and to supply power at a higher second voltage from the output. A capacitor, e.g., a super capacitor, is operatively connected between the output of the boost converter and a ground node. A first switch is operatively connected between the first input node and the output of the boost converter for switching between a first state connecting the capacitor to the output of the boost converter and a second state connecting the capacitor to supply input voltage to the input of the boost converter.