by Daniel Wan, Honeywell Security Group

Renewable energy advocates in particular point towards 17 years of annual growth at 15.6 per cent as a reason to be positive about the prospects of the wind power industry . By 2020, the EWEA estimates that wind will generate between 14 and 17 per cent of the EU’s electricity, eliminating over 330 million tonnes of CO2 on an annual basis. According to many commentators - with Spain and Germany leading the way- the industry represents a renewable energy source that is steadily delivering on its promise in the region.

However this kind of promising growth in any industry can rapidly catch the attention of criminals, particularly if it represents an opportunity for theft. Unfortunately, owing to the high price of copper and growing demand for it in China, wind farms are becoming popular targets for thieves in Europe. The price of copper has risen dramatically over the past years, and owing to strong emerging economies with a big backlog; it is likely to continue to do so. In short, the copper theft business will continue to be very lucrative for the foreseeable future.

Recent police and media reports show that general copper theft continues to be a big issue. With that in mind, wind farm operators would be well advised to invest in making their plants secure.
From a business perspective, the installation or retrofitting of security technology results in one-time costs for equipment and installation and ongoing costs for maintenance, communication and security services. This can be off-putting to some utilities. However, despite these costs, the necessary investment is significantly lower than the damage caused by theft.

There are various options when it comes to implementing a better security system. Although the best solution for any particular installation must be decided on a case-by-case basis, a few basic considerations will indicate which solution makes most sense. A single turbine close to a property is better protected by locking technology and stronger doors. This relatively low-cost measure alone may deter thieves. For several wind turbines in isolated locations which are difficult to monitor around the clock, an intruder alarm system, possibly combined with video surveillance, is often a more cost-effective solution. An intruder alarm control panel equipped with communications capabilities is required so that alarms can be transmitted to a Central Monitoring Station (CMS) by telephone, mobile communications or IP network. Sensors are also required on doors to monitor opening and closure of doors, and motion sensors should also be considered to detect movement inside the plant.

Another sensible piece of security technology is a video surveillance system connected to the CMS. This installation should include black and white or colour cameras with infrared light for illumination and to provide detection in the dark. An IP-enabled video recording and transmission device should also be considered to save and compress video images from several cameras onto hard drives. IP technology offers many advantages including the ability to use an existing IT infrastructure which can also be used for other control tasks.

Owing to advances in mobile technology, there are now a number of different applications which allow remote access with mobile internet-enabled devices such as smartphones. This kind of functionality means that with some systems it is possible to quickly check what is happening in the wind farm and the surrounding area, so that costs and resources associated with call outs resulting from false alarms are avoided. Thanks to the video recordings the operator also has valuable footage which can assist the police in apprehending would-be intruders. Video analytics - a technology that automatically monitors video for specific people, vehicles, objects, and their associated behaviour within a camera view – can also help to avoid false alarms in the absence of staff to monitor video footage.

If a wind farm is equipped with this kind of integrated intruder and video surveillance system, attempted break-ins can be interrupted at an early stage. As soon as one of the sensors raises the alarm, CMS operators or keyholders can immediately check the video footage to see what is happening at that point in time. If a visual or audible warning is triggered, which can be remotely activated from the CMS, it is likely to deter the intruders until the police or security services arrive. Damage can therefore be prevented or reduced.

Using an integrated security system that combines intruder and video surveillance, individual wind turbines and wind farms in remote locations away from residential areas can be effectively protected. Apart from protection against break-ins, these integrated solutions also allow additional warning systems to be implemented to provide notification of fire, flooding or the need for maintenance. Personnel are also better protected. For example, if an employee remains in a plant for an unusually long time, CMS operators can conduct a visual check using the video cameras and, if necessary, send assistance.

The use of the electronic security technology outlined above on wind farms – not to mention other renewable energy sites such as solar panel installations - has many advantages. Apart from deterring copper thieves, further useful warning systems can also be deployed based on the intruder alarm system. Once the initial investment has been made in a security system, ongoing efficiencies and savings can be made by reducing trips to the plant to essential ones only. There’s no doubt that as wind power, and copper, grow in popularity, the case for enhanced security becomes increasingly compelling.