The number of solar parks in Europe is increasing as the demand for renewable energy is rising. Many of these solar parks are in remote locations, so protecting them properly can be a challenge. One of the security companies that have come up with an answer to this challenge is Reading, UK, based Westronics Fire & Security Ltd. To ensure good visibility of intruders in the surveillance system, even at night or in adverse weather conditions, Westronics includes thermal imaging cameras in its solar park protection systems.
“We have been installing closed circuit television (CCTV) systems ever since the technology was released to the public in the early ‘80s but CCTV cameras run into severe limitations when it comes to nighttime operation and certain weather conditions”, explains Westronics’ Managing Director Graham Miller. “Thermal imaging cameras are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum, which is emitted by all matter as a function of its temperature. They need no light whatsoever to function, making them perfect for nighttime surveillance".
Based on the recorded intensity of infrared radiation they produce clear, high contrast images, regardless of lighting conditions. Sun glare, shadows, smoke, rain, fog, all of these factors can render CCTV cameras useless, but FLIR thermal imaging cameras are not hampered by these conditions. They can be used to see in complete darkness, through smoke and light fog.
Thermal imaging: an obvious choice
According to Miller the choice for FLIR thermal imaging cameras was obvious. “These sites need to be protected day and night. Since they are in remote locations there is no street lighting present, so for CCTV cameras to be effective during the night we would have to install additional lighting. This would not only increase the energy consumption of the security system, which obviously needs to be avoided, especially at a solar power plant, but would also have an unacceptable impact on the local wildlife, as these are protected green belt areas. FLIR thermal imaging cameras provide very high quality imagery, without the need for lighting. That is why we selected the FLIR PT-313 thermal imaging camera system for several recent solar farm protection projects. These particular camera models are very easy to incorporate in our security systems, as they are compatible with the standard TCP/IP protocols we use for our systems network designs.”
“The FLIR PT-313 thermal imaging camera system contains both a thermal imaging camera and a visual CCD camera”, continues Miler. “ At first we mainly used the thermal imaging camera for nighttime surveillance, but we discovered that these thermal imaging cameras also enhanced the surveillance during the day. Whilst the visual CCD camera included in these multi-sensor camera systems is excellent, we soon found that apart from limitations like sun glare and fog, obscurants like the foliage of undergrowth can also hide intruders from view. Tests showed, however, that the foliage does not entirely camouflage the body heat of intruders from the thermal imaging camera. This allows the control room operators to track the movements of intruders even if they try to hide in the bushes.”
Solar farm surveillance enhanced with thermal imaging cameras
19 Jul 2012
