Powering Critical Systems Across Two Major Australian BESS Projects
- ClientUGL
- DateMarch 2026
- Industry SectorsRenewable Energy
- LocationWA & QLD
Dual redundant 125VDC backup power systems engineered for UGL’s Muchea and Western Downs Stage 3 projects
UGL engaged Magellan Power to deliver dual-redundant 125VDC backup power systems for two major Neoen battery projects: the 164MW / 905MWh Muchea Battery in Western Australia and the 305MW / 1,220MWh Western Downs Battery Stage 3 in Queensland. Engineered and integrated in Australia, the systems provide dependable backup power for the critical control, protection and auxiliary loads required to keep these large-scale BESS assets operating safely.
THE CHALLENGE:
UGL required a highly reliable backup power architecture that could protect critical DC and AC loads while meeting the requirements of two large BESS projects located on opposite sides of Australia. The solution needed dual redundancy, long-life battery systems and fully integrated AC and DC distribution, while maintaining a standardised design across both installations.
Solutions
Magellan Power designed and supplied a standardised, dual-redundant backup power solution for both projects, providing a consistent system architecture across the two sites. Each system incorporated dual-redundant threephase SMCRIII battery chargers rated at 125VDC, 140A, paired with 625Ah battery banks. Each battery bank comprised four strings of ten 12V 163Ah pure lead VRLA batteries with a 20-year design life.
The complete solution was factory-integrated within IP42-rated indoor steel enclosures and included DC distribution boards with 24 two-pole MCBs, a modular 9kVA inverter system comprising three 3kVA modules and AC distribution boards with 12 two-pole RCBOs.
Each system was backed by a five-year warranty and underwent Factory Acceptance Testing at Magellan Power’s facility prior to dispatch, with on-site commissioning support provided at both project locations.
RESULTS
- Two major BESS projects supported
Standardised backup power architecture delivered for installations in WA and Queensland.
- Delivered on schedule
Both systems were delivered to schedule, with Factory Acceptance Testing completed prior to dispatch. - Resilience built in
Dual-redundant architecture maintains protection of critical loads in the event of a single charger or batterystring failure. - Supported through commissioning
Magellan Power provided on-site commissioning support at both project locations.
