Electrical engineering delivering safe, resilient, and future‑ready building systems.
Overview
Electrical engineering supplies the power and low-voltage infrastructure that keep buildings operational. It encompasses distribution systems, backup and emergency power, lighting, metering, and the accommodation of future technologies such as onsite generation and storage.
We begin with load assessment and risk profiling to define main switchboard capacity, distribution phasing, and fault protection requirements. Resilience is considered early: for critical loads we specify redundancy and generator or UPS provision. Lighting is considered as part of the overall electrical system to support operational performance and sustainability objectives. We coordinate metering and sub-metering strategies for tenancy and performance reporting, and provide infrastructure to support EV charging, PV input, and storage where relevant. Documentation includes cable schedules, switchboard arrangements, protection settings, and coordination studies. We model energy consumption and running costs to support client decisions on plant selection, renewables adoption, and lifecycle cost.
The result is a safe, compliant, and efficient electrical system that supports current operations and future-proofs the building. Clients receive practical layouts, clear phasing strategies for staged works, and intelligence on operational cost impacts. The electrical solution integrates with communications, security, and building controls so power, lighting, and data operate as a coherent whole.
01
BSE was engaged to design, tender, and project manage the replacement of two main switchboards at St Ives Shopping Village while maintaining full trading operations throughout the upgrade. The works were delivered within a live retail environment, requiring careful staging and coordination to minimise risk and disruption.
Image of exterior courtesy of SISVNSW.
02
BSE delivered electrical engineering services across design, procurement, and delivery for the replacement of the centre’s main switchboards. Due to the site’s architecture, the works were required to be undertaken within the existing switchroom, with no provision for construction of a new switchroom.
A staged replacement strategy was developed to maintain supply to critical services and retail tenants at all times. The works also included coordination with Ausgrid for substation shutdowns and integration of a 600 kWe solar PV system to improve operational efficiency.
03
The primary challenge was maintaining uninterrupted trading operations within a busy shopping centre. Additional constraints included limited physical space for new infrastructure, retention of backup supply for essential services, and complex shutdown sequencing coordinated around tenant operations and trading hours.
04
The switchboard replacement was delivered successfully without disruption to centre operations. The upgraded electrical infrastructure improved system reliability, increased capacity to support future tenant demand, and enhanced energy efficiency through integrated solar generation.
This project demonstrates BSE’s capability to deliver complex electrical upgrades within live retail environments while maintaining operational continuity and future flexibility.
Projects
