For organisations operating critical infrastructure, peak demand periods such as the Australian summer and holiday season present unique challenges. Increased strain on resources, heightened operational loads, and the ever-present risk of failure during these high-pressure times can have significant consequences. For industries such as aviation, utilities, and healthcare, where downtime is not an option, maintaining robust and reliable power systems is critical.
At EPT, we partner with some of Australia’s largest organisations—like Qantas, Water Corporation, and leading hospitals—to ensure their operations remain seamless even during the busiest and most demanding times. These case studies provide a window into how these industries face extreme demand challenges and the strategies they deploy to maintain continuity.
Aviation: Keeping the Skies Open During Peak Travel Seasons
Australia’s aviation sector faces immense pressure during the summer holidays, with passenger traffic increasing by over 20% during peak travel periods. According to the Australian Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), over 24 million passengers flew domestically during December and January in pre-pandemic years. For airlines like Qantas, where operational uptime is synonymous with reputation and revenue, even minor disruptions can cascade into significant financial and logistical challenges.
The Power Challenge
The aviation industry depends on a complex web of critical systems, including air traffic control, ground support equipment, and terminal operations. A single power outage, even lasting minutes, can disrupt flight schedules, delay thousands of passengers, and tarnish brand trust.
EPT’s Role
To ensure uninterrupted operations, EPT implemented a multi-layered power redundancy system across key Qantas facilities. This includes:
- Dynamic UPS Systems: Designed to handle unexpected load spikes without compromising performance.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Leveraging advanced monitoring technology, potential issues are identified and resolved before they escalate.
- Proactive Maintenance: Scheduled check-ups before peak travel seasons ensure every component operates at peak efficiency.
The Impact
During the 2023 holiday season, EPT’s systems enabled Qantas to manage a record number of passengers over December. “Reliability during peak demand is non-negotiable,” says a Graeme Bassula, CTO at EPT. “With EPT’s solutions, we focus on our ensuring operations stay consistent and reliable.”
Utilities: Meeting Australia’s Summer Water Needs
The Australian summer sees water usage spike dramatically, driven by increased residential consumption, agricultural irrigation, and industrial cooling requirements. The Water Corporation of Western Australia, servicing over 2.5 million customers, reported a significant increase in demand during the 2022-23 summer months. This surge places immense pressure on the infrastructure responsible for pumping, treating, and delivering water.
The Power Challenge
Maintaining a steady power supply for water utilities is critical, especially during periods of extreme heat. Pumping stations, treatment facilities, and monitoring systems require continuous electricity to avoid disruptions that could lead to shortages or contamination risks.
EPT’s Role
EPT collaborated with Water Corporation to ensure resilience and reliability in their power infrastructure by:
- Scalable Power Solutions: Implementing systems that can dynamically adjust to fluctuating demand, particularly during peak periods.
- Integrated Monitoring Systems: Providing a unified view of all critical components, enabling rapid response to anomalies.
- Enhanced Backup Capabilities: Deploying additional generators and UPS systems to handle worst-case scenarios.
The Impact
Despite record-breaking heatwaves in January 2023, Water Corporation reported uninterrupted service delivery across its network. ” Thanks to proactive planning and collaboration with EPT, Water Corporation’s power systems were fully prepared to meet these challenges” said Graeme Bassula, CTO at EPT.
Healthcare: Sustaining Life-Saving Operations
Hospitals and healthcare facilities face unique pressures during the summer and holiday periods. Emergency departments often see a spike in admissions—heatwaves alone accounted for over 2,100 hospitalisations across Australia between 2019 and 2022. (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; https://www.aihw.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/2023/2023-november/extreme-weather-is-leading-to-more-injury-hospitalisations-with-heat-being-the-main-cause) For hospitals, power reliability isn’t just operationally critical—it’s life-critical.
The Power Challenge
Hospitals rely on continuous power to operate essential systems, including life-support machines, diagnostic equipment, and security systems. Even a momentary disruption can have severe consequences, from delayed treatments to compromised patient safety.
EPT’s Role
EPT partnered with leading healthcare providers to implement power solutions designed specifically for the demands of modern hospitals:
- High-Capacity UPS Systems: Built to handle surges in energy use during peak periods.
- Seamless Transition Systems: Ensuring automatic failover to backup power during outages.
- On-Site Support: EPT engineers are available 24/7 to address any potential issues immediately.
The Impact
EPT’s solutions are designed to support healthcare providers during these critical peaks by delivering scalable, reliable, and high-capacity power systems that adapt to fluctuating demands.
By integrating proactive maintenance, seamless transition systems, and 24/7 technical support, EPT ensures healthcare facilities can continue to operate efficiently and safely, even under extreme demand conditions. This approach not only supports patient outcomes but also reinforces the resilience of Australia’s healthcare infrastructure during its busiest times.
Key Takeaways: The Importance of Power Resilience in Extreme Demand Periods
These case studies highlight shared lessons across industries:
- Proactive Planning is Essential: Routine maintenance and preemptive upgrades are critical to avoiding costly disruptions during high-demand periods.
- Scalability Matters: Power systems must be capable of dynamically adapting to surges in demand without compromising reliability.
- Real-Time Oversight Reduces Risk: Advanced monitoring ensures potential issues are addressed before they escalate.
- Partnership is Key: Working with a trusted provider like EPT ensures access to expertise, innovative solutions, and round-the-clock support.
Conclusion: Powering Through Peak Demand with EPT
Whether it’s enabling seamless travel for millions, ensuring reliable water supply during heatwaves, or supporting life-saving hospital operations, EPT is committed to delivering the solutions Australia’s critical infrastructure needs. Extreme demand periods test the limits of systems and organisations alike, but with the right planning and partnership, continuity is always achievable.
For decision-makers in industries where uptime is non-negotiable, EPT’s expertise provides not just power but peace of mind. When the stakes are highest, EPT ensures that Australia’s essential services remain unstoppable.