• • • COVER STORY • • •


3. What are the biggest challenges organisations face when designing resilient power systems today?


One of the most persistent challenges facing organisations, particularly within the healthcare sector, is the battle for space. As facilities become more complex and every square metre grows in value, finding room for critical power infrastructure can be a significant obstacle. Fortunately, advances in UPS technology have transformed what is possible. The latest high power density systems can now integrate advanced battery solutions within a single cabinet, delivering both resilient power and a resilient battery arrangement in an exceptionally compact footprint. Space, however, is only one part of the equation.


Organisations are increasingly challenged by the need to balance resilience, scalability, efficiency and long-term cost. Selecting the right UPS requires careful consideration of future load growth, battery technology, autonomy requirements, maintenance strategies, environmental conditions and the total cost of ownership over the system’s lifecycle. A solution that appears attractive on day one may not necessarily provide the flexibility or operational value required in the years ahead. Beyond the technology itself, the most


successful projects often begin with the right partnership. Organisations benefit most from working with a provider that takes a genuinely consultative and technology-neutral approach, drawing on a broad portfolio of solutions to identify the best technical and commercial fit, rather than promoting a one-size-fits-all offering. This ensures that every solution is tailored to the unique demands of the application, environment and long-term operational goals. Where space constraints become even more


challenging, GRP enclosures are proving to be an increasingly innovative alternative. When existing buildings have reached capacity, these self-contained structures provide a practical and highly effective way to accommodate UPS systems and associated electrical infrastructure. Offering fire rated construction, integrated air conditioning and dedicated battery rooms, GRP enclosures deliver all the benefits of a traditional plant room while providing the flexibility and efficiency required by modern critical power environments.


4. How can businesses balance power resilience with sustainability and energy efficiency?


UPS technology has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by rising customer expectations and an increasing focus on resilience, sustainability and operational efficiency. Today’s next generation modular UPS solutions are designed not only to scale with future demand but also to deliver exceptional reliability, higher power density and extended service life. By incorporating long life components, these systems significantly reduce the need for major overhauls, creating a more sustainable and cost-effective lifecycle. Efficiency standards have also reached new


heights. AC to AC online efficiencies of 95–96 per cent across the operating load range are now widely achievable, while the latest Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology is pushing performance beyond 97 per cent, a figure that only a few years ago would have seemed ambitious. This leap forward


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represents a significant reduction in energy consumption and operating costs. Battery technology has advanced in parallel.


What was once considered a long-life battery solution at ten years has evolved into products capable of delivering 15 years or more of reliable service, even in higher temperature environments. When these innovations in UPS and battery technology are combined, they create a compelling commercial proposition, reducing both upfront investment pressures and long-term lifecycle expenditure. The benefits extend far beyond resilience alone.


Longer design life, improved energy efficiency, and lower maintenance requirements all contribute to a reduced total cost of ownership. Furthermore, lower system losses and the ability of modern batteries to operate effectively at higher temperatures can dramatically reduce cooling demands, unlocking additional energy savings and supporting wider sustainability objectives.


5. What role does condition monitoring and electrical safety play alongside UPS technology?


While a UPS provides a vital safeguard against mains failures, true resilience comes from seeing the bigger picture. By integrating advanced condition monitoring, organisations gain continuous insight into the health of their entire electrical infrastructure, not only identifying power interruptions, but also detecting earth faults, harmonic distortion, system imbalances, stray currents and patterns of energy consumption. This transforms the UPS from a reactive safety


net into a proactive intelligence platform. Site engineers are equipped with a real-time, holistic view of system performance, enabling potential issues to be identified long before they develop into costly failures or operational disruption. The result is greater confidence, improved efficiency and more informed decision-making. With cloud-based data accessible from


anywhere, visibility is no longer confined to the plant room. As artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to evolve, the ability to analyse trends, predict faults and optimise performance will unlock new opportunities for operational excellence. Together, these technologies have the potential to redefine how critical infrastructure is managed, moving organisations from simply responding to problems to anticipating and preventing them.


6. Which industries are seeing the greatest demand for advanced UPS solutions, and why?


The adoption of advanced UPS systems has evolved from a specialist requirement into a fundamental expectation across virtually every industry. In a world where uptime underpins productivity, safety and business continuity, even the briefest loss of power can have far-reaching consequences. As organisations become increasingly dependent on digital technologies, automation and electrically powered infrastructure, the demand for resilient, uninterrupted power will only continue to accelerate. This shift is perhaps most visible in the rapid


expansion of hyperscale data centres, built to support the unprecedented growth of artificial intelligence and data-driven services. These


facilities place extraordinary demands on power infrastructure, prioritising maximum efficiency, reliability and long-term value over short-term cost considerations. At the same time, sectors such as healthcare continue to rely on high-performance UPS solutions to protect critical environments where power availability can directly impact patient care. Similar trends are emerging across rail, utilities and other essential services as infrastructure becomes smarter, more connected and increasingly reliant on continuous operation. Ultimately, the need for dependable power has


never been greater. From safeguarding life-critical systems to supporting the digital backbone of modern industry, UPS technology has become an indispensable enabler of progress. In today’s always-on world, there are few industries untouched by the need for reliable, resilient power available around the clock.


7. How is digitalisation and automation changing the requirements placed on critical power infrastructure?


Condition monitoring and reporting have long been fundamental pillars of effective maintenance and remote asset management. Today, however, customer expectations are evolving rapidly. A twice-yearly maintenance visit that delivers a simple snapshot of equipment health is no longer enough. Organisations increasingly want continuous visibility of their critical assets, empowering them with real-time insights that support informed decision-making, enable proactive intervention and minimise the risk of unexpected failures. This is where Bender Pulse transforms the


conversation. By combining advanced diagnostics, intelligent analytics and continuous monitoring, it shifts maintenance from a reactive necessity to a proactive strategy. Rather than simply reporting what has happened, Bender Pulse helps predict what could happen next, giving operators the confidence to stay ahead of potential issues. When integrated with our industry-leading


electrical safety technologies, the solution delivers an even deeper understanding of the infrastructure supporting critical backup power systems. It provides a clear view of the electrical health of the network itself, identifying hidden risks before they become costly problems. In practice, we have seen occasions where a persistent, undetected earth fault silently developed over time, ultimately resulting in cable failure and the loss of a critical load. By uncovering these issues early, organisations can protect uptime, improve resilience and ensure their most important systems continue to perform when they are needed most.


8. Bender has recently expanded its UPS team. What new expertise has this brought, and how will it benefit customers?


For many years, our UPS solutions have been at the heart of Bender UK’s power resilience offering, helping customers protect their most critical operations with confidence. Building on this strong foundation, recent investments and strategic developments have enabled us to elevate our capabilities even further. Today, we combine decades of experience with dedicated in-house UPS specialists and engineers


ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2026 9


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