Project
Martin Place Metro – Station UPS
GSTEC delivered a dedicated UPS load shedding and monitoring system for Sydney Metro’s Martin Place Station, supporting resilient power management for critical station infrastructure under abnormal and emergency operating conditions.
Overview
The scope of works included the design, programming, and integration of a PLC-based load shedding system to monitor multiple distribution boards’ UPS systems and control motorised circuit breakers.
Schneider Modicon PLCs were implemented to provide reliable, deterministic control, with all systems integrated into the station’s Schneider Building Management System (BMS) via Modbus/TCP over the Integrated Communication Network.
The load shedding system was engineered to operate across defined UPS modes, including power-up, normal standby, battery discharge, and return-to-normal conditions. During battery discharge events, the PLCs execute staged load shedding based on pre-configured time delays, prioritising essential services while shedding non-critical loads in a controlled sequence. Automatic system restoration logic ensures loads are safely reconnected once normal UPS operation is re-established.
Dedicated PLCs were provided for each nominated distribution board, delivering independent monitoring and control of UPS status, battery condition, communications health, and motorised breaker operation. The system incorporates fail-safe behaviours to maintain breaker states during communication loss and ensures controlled recovery following power or network restoration.
Outcome
This project formed a critical component of the station’s power resilience strategy, delivering a robust, fully integrated load shedding solution aligned with Sydney Metro operational requirements and long-term asset reliability objectives.
