Case Study: Remote Access Upgrade for Backup Generators at Redland City Council

Redland City Council, located in Queensland, Australia, oversees the maintenance and operation of essential services across several remote islands. To ensure continuous power supply during outages, the council relies on a network of backup generators. However, managing these generators efficiently posed significant challenges. To address these issues, Redland City Council engaged Eneraque to implement an upgrade of their generator control systems, enabling remote access and monitoring.

Background

The power generators on these remote islands are crucial for providing backup power to critical services during outages. Before the upgrade, the maintenance manager faced several challenges:

• Lack of Real-Time Information: There was no way to ascertain the serviceability of the generators in real time.
• Inefficient Troubleshooting: If a generator failed to start during an outage, technicians had to be ferried to the site, often requiring multiple visits to diagnose and fix the problem.

These issues led to delays in restoring power and increased operational costs.

Objectives

1. Enhance Monitoring Capabilities: Provide real-time visibility into the operational status of all generators.
2. Improve Troubleshooting Efficiency: Enable remote diagnostics to reduce the need for on-site visits.
3. Increase Reliability: Ensure that generators are ready to provide backup power when needed.

Scope of Work

Eneraque’s upgrade project solution involved:

• Installing a customised control system upgrade for each generator.
• Setting up multiple remote data feeds.
• Enabling desktop computer access for remote monitoring and control.

Eneraque’s Process

1. Initial Assessment:
   • Conducted a detailed analysis of the existing generator control systems.
   • Identified key challenges and requirements through discussions with the maintenance team.
2. System Design:
   • Designed a customised control system package tailored to the council’s needs and budget.
   • Integrated remote access capabilities to provide real-time data and control.
3. Implementation:
   • Installed the new control system to incorporate all generators.
   • Set up secure remote data feeds accessible via desktop computers.
   • Configured the system to allow multiple authorised users to monitor and control the generators.
4. Testing and Training:
   • Eneraque conducted thorough testing to ensure the system’s reliability and accuracy.
   • Trained the maintenance team on using the new system for monitoring and troubleshooting.

Results

Eneraque’s control system upgrade at Redland City Council delivered significant benefits:

• Enhanced Monitoring: Maintenance managers now have real-time access to the operational status of all generators, providing complete peace of mind.
• Efficient Troubleshooting: Most issues can now be diagnosed and resolved remotely, reducing the need for site visits. When on-site intervention is required, technicians are better prepared, often resolving issues in a single visit.
• Increased Reliability: The council is confident that their generators will provide backup power when needed, improving service continuity during power outages.

Outcomes

Eneraque’s successful upgrade of the backup generator control systems at Redland City Council highlights the importance of remote monitoring and control in managing critical infrastructure. By implementing a customised solution, the council not only improved the efficiency and reliability of their power generators but also optimised their operational processes, resulting in significant cost savings and enhanced service delivery. This case study serves as a valuable example for other municipalities and organisations managing remote or critical infrastructure, demonstrating the benefits of modern control systems and remote access technologies.