University power outage emergency response

Emergency Power: MEMS Rapid Response for University Outage

Client

Emergency Power: MEMS Rapid Response for University Outage


University Emergency Power Solution in Action

When one of the UK’s largest universities suffered a major power outage, MEMS Power Generation was called upon to implement a fully managed university emergency power solution. Spanning over 90 acres and accommodating more than 38,000 students, the university had proactively invested in a disaster recovery plan to ensure resilience in such events.

Following an extensive technical disaster recovery survey conducted by MEMS, 15 tailored contingency plans were developed, each designed for a specific substation. This strategic foresight enabled a rapid and effective response when a high-voltage network failure disrupted power.

The Challenge

When the Unplanned Happened – Powering a University in Crisis

The university’s significant expansion over recent years meant any power disruption could impact:

    • 38,000+ students and 4,700 staff, disrupting academic activities.
    • Nearly 500 courses, spanning multiple faculties and departments.
    • Critical facilities, including research laboratories, IT systems, and residential halls.

For years, the university had prepared for the unexpected—but then, the unplanned happened. A key component of the high-voltage network failed unexpectedly, plunging parts of the campus into darkness.

In the middle of the night, the university activated its disaster recovery protocol, contacting MEMS Power Generation’s 24/7 operations centre. Quoting their unique disaster recovery reference, the university ensured that the correct pre-planned response was immediately triggered. This allowed MEMS to act without delay, deploying the appropriate emergency power solution.

Temporary power generators for university campus

The Solution: Fast-Tracked Emergency Power for University Operations

MEMS mobilised its emergency response team and delivered a robust temporary power solution within hours. The response included:

  • Emergency deployment within 3 hours of receiving the call.
  • Three 500kVA generators configured in a load-on-demand setup, adapting power supply to the university’s fluctuating needs.
  • Over 500 metres of temporary cabling, secured with cable covers, Heras fencing, and acoustic barriers for safety and noise control.
  • Full installation and commissioning by MEMS expert technicians, who managed the complex and lengthy cable runs before integrating the temporary system with the university’s infrastructure.
  • MEMS Connect telemetry, providing real-time remote monitoring to ensure uninterrupted power and instant fault detection.
  • Comprehensive project management, overseeing every aspect of the emergency power deployment.
  • Fuel management services, including bulk fuel tanks and scheduled refuelling, supported by live telemetry for proactive monitoring.

The Outcome: Reliable Temporary Power for a 9-Day Outage

Despite the unplanned nine-day outage, MEMS ensured:

  • The university had an emergency temporary power solution delivered within 3 hours and installed and commission within 6 hours.
  • Efficient energy usage with the load-on-demand system, ensuring power was supplied only when required.
  • Uninterrupted critical operations, including IT infrastructure, research labs, and student accommodations.
  • A seamless emergency power solution, delivering a complete backup power system for the university without third-party involvement.
  • Protection of the university’s reputation, avoiding disruption to lectures, research, and student life that could have resulted in financial and reputational consequences.

Conclusion: Proven University Emergency Power Planning in Action

A power outage on this scale could have caused major operational and reputational damage for the university. MEMS Power Generation’s rapid response ensured that lectures continued, research projects remained uninterrupted, and student welfare was safeguarded.

By delivering a university emergency power solution that was pre-planned, expertly managed, and immediately deployed, MEMS prevented a potentially costly and disruptive scenario. This case study highlights why having a MEMS disaster recovery plan in place isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it’s about safeguarding your reputation, reducing downtime, and ensuring seamless continuity for staff and students.