The Client
A major government building in Canberra needed to modernise its critical power infrastructure. As part of a wider upgrade program, the facilities team set out to replace aging UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems with a new, smarter, and more compact setup. The goal was to improve efficiency, reduce the overall footprint, and ensure the new system could work seamlessly with existing batteries while keeping essential operations protected.
This project came through one of STULZ Oceania’s long-term partners, experienced in managing critical government environments. Having completed factory training and delivered multiple projects using STULZ systems, the team knew exactly what the technology could deliver: reliability, efficiency, and proven performance. When the time came to upgrade the site’s UPS systems, STULZ was the natural choice.
The Challenge
The existing UPS systems were reaching the end of their lifespan and no longer operating efficiently. The client wanted to downsize from 600 kVA systems to smaller frames that better matched the building’s actual load, reducing energy waste and ongoing operating costs without compromising protection.
A key requirement was that the new system had to work with the existing battery banks, which had been replaced only a few years earlier. Many UPS systems are not designed for this kind of compatibility, but STULZ’s modular architecture can integrate with a wide range of battery technologies. This flexibility allowed the client to retain their relatively new assets and avoid unnecessary replacement costs.
To add to the challenge, all work had to be carried out after hours to avoid disrupting operations. The old UPS needed to be safely removed, the new system installed, tested, and brought online, all within a single weekend shutdown window.
The Solution
STULZ supplied and installed two CumulusPower® CP-300 UPS systems, each configured with three IM60 modules, delivering a combined 300 kVA of reliable backup power. The modular design made it easy to right-size the system to the site’s actual load, with room to scale in the future if demand increases.
Downsizing from 600 kVA to 300 kVA immediately improved operational efficiency, lifting performance from around 92 per cent with the old Schneider units to roughly 96.5 per cent with the new CumulusPower systems. That four per cent efficiency gain translates into significant long-term energy and cost savings.
“Our modular design provided the flexibility to right-size the UPS to the load, enhance efficiency, and integrate seamlessly with the existing battery systems,” said Leigh Anderson, STULZ product manager. “It meant we could deliver a tailored solution that saved the client money while strengthening resilience within the critical facility.”
Every part of the system, from the UPS frames to the control modules, was pre-tested before installation. This minimised onsite time and facilitated a quick, tidy handover. The new units were fully integrated into the building’s existing monitoring and management systems for real-time visibility and control.
The Results
✅ Right-sized system – downsized from 600 kVA to 300 kVA, saving space and energy
✅ Improved efficiency – from approximately 92 per cent to 96.5 per cent, reducing annual power costs
✅ Seamless battery integration – reused existing batteries, avoiding major replacement costs
✅ Non-disruptive installation – completed after hours in a single weekend window
✅ Enhanced resilience – modular design delivers redundancy and room for future growth
.