Project Background

A large-scale urban metro infrastructure project in India was undergoing phased expansion to support rapidly growing urban population and increasing commuter demand. The project included the deployment of new metro lines, station automation systems, and centralized train operation platforms designed to improve scheduling efficiency and passenger flow management.

To ensure real-time operation of signaling systems, communication networks, and station-level monitoring equipment, multiple distributed edge data centers were deployed across metro stations and line-side facilities. These edge nodes served as critical execution points for train control systems, CCTV analytics, and passenger information systems, directly interfacing with the central operation control center.

However, during early operational stages, the metro network faced challenges related to unstable local grid conditions and frequent short-duration voltage fluctuations. Although these disturbances were brief, they were sufficient to impact sensitive signaling and control equipment, leading to system fallback events and operational delays. As the dependency on digital infrastructure increased, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for all edge data centers became a top priority for the operator.

Project Requirement

The metro operator defined strict and mission-critical requirements for the power backup system across all edge data center locations.

First, the system had to guarantee continuous and uninterrupted power supply for signaling, communication, and train control systems. Any power interruption, even at the millisecond level, was unacceptable due to its direct impact on train safety and operational continuity.

Second, the solution needed to be suitable for space-constrained station environments. Many edge data centers were installed within compact electrical rooms or integrated equipment racks, requiring a high-density and modular UPS design with minimal physical footprint.

Third, high system reliability was essential due to the unmanned or remotely managed nature of most station facilities. The UPS system had to support N+1 redundancy, fault isolation, and stable operation without requiring frequent on-site intervention.

Fourth, centralized remote monitoring capability was required, allowing the metro operations center to manage and monitor all distributed UPS systems in real time, including load conditions, battery status, and alarm events.

Fifth, due to varying infrastructure conditions across different regions, the system also needed strong adaptability to unstable grid environments and wide input voltage fluctuations.

In addition, the customer requested on-site technical support during deployment to ensure correct system integration, commissioning, and operator training across multiple station locations.

Solution

A modular UPS-based distributed power protection system was implemented across all metro edge data center sites.

Each station was equipped with a modular UPS system configured in N+1 redundancy mode, ensuring continuous power availability for all mission-critical signaling and communication equipment. The modular architecture enabled hot-swappable power modules, allowing maintenance and upgrades without system downtime.

To address space limitations in metro station environments, compact high power density UPS cabinets were deployed. These systems integrated power conversion, battery management, and distribution functions into a unified design optimized for confined installation spaces.

A centralized monitoring platform was established, enabling real-time visibility of all UPS units across the metro network. The operations center could remotely monitor system load, input/output conditions, battery health, and alarm status, significantly improving operational control and predictive maintenance capability.

To ensure successful deployment across multiple sites, technical engineers were dispatched on-site upon customer request. The engineering team provided installation guidance, system commissioning support, parameter configuration, and operational training for local maintenance staff. This ensured consistent deployment quality and smooth integration with existing metro infrastructure.

Outcome

After implementation, the metro operator achieved a significant improvement in power reliability across all distributed edge data centers.

Previously occurring signaling disruptions caused by grid instability were effectively eliminated, resulting in smoother train scheduling and improved operational stability across the entire metro network.

The modular UPS design reduced maintenance complexity and improved system availability, as faulty modules could be replaced without interrupting system operation. This was particularly beneficial for unmanned station environments where rapid on-site intervention was limited.

Centralized monitoring provided full visibility across all stations, enabling proactive maintenance strategies and reducing the risk of unexpected system failures.

The on-site technical support played a critical role in ensuring correct system deployment and accelerating operational readiness across multiple locations.

Overall, the project established a highly reliable, scalable, and future-ready power protection architecture for India’s metro infrastructure, strengthening the resilience of its digital transportation backbone and ensuring stable operation of mission-critical systems under diverse grid conditions.