Schneider and UCS partner on smart microgrids

UCS Group, an Australian electrical infrastructure company, has partnered with Schneider Electric to intelligently track and streamline the management of energy, starting with UCS’s own site.

The collaboration combines UCS Group’s engineering and delivery expertise with Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Microgrid Flex — an end-to-end, validated power and energy management system that integrates with battery storage. By incorporating EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor, the system can run independently or alongside the main grid. Its smart controller tracks energy demand and supply in real time, automatically switching between solar, battery and — when needed — grid power.

The UCS Group and Schneider Electric microgrid solution is designed to adapt to the diverse needs and operating conditions of Australian businesses, communities and homes, offering a flexible, scalable model for clean energy adoption. Its AI capabilities leverage real-time market data to anticipate demand, optimise consumption and automate energy management.

By effectively ‘doing the thinking’ for customers, the system aims to simplify energy use, lower costs and enable long-term resilience.

Stephen Ellich, CEO at UCS, said the collaboration with Schneider Electric was “redefining what’s possible for clean energy in Australia”.

“By combining our engineering design and implementation expertise with Schneider’s advanced microgrid technology, we are enabling businesses and communities to take control of their energy use, reduce costs and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient future,” he said.

The collaboration has enabled UCS Group to cut its own electricity costs by more than 60%, with the company now having the capability to run on 100% solar. UCS’s fleet electrification goals are also being supported by the solution, which offers coordinated management of EV charging.

These positive results have bolstered UCS and Schneider Electric’s intention to deliver similar benefits to organisations and communities across Australia. The companies are set to roll out multiple projects across the nation, each designed to move closer to the goal of 100% green-sourced energy.

“UCS Group is showing what’s possible with intelligent microgrids, achieving major cost savings and fully utilising renewable energy,” said Louise Monger, Vice President Digital Energy at Schneider Electric.

“By working together, we’ve delivered a solution that makes reliable, affordable and sustainable energy a reality today, and creates a model that can be scaled to accelerate Australia’s clean energy transition.”

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