Using video surveillance to protect wind farms reliably and cost-effectively

Renewable energies are becoming increasingly important in an era of new environmental awareness with a focus on sustainability. Wind turbines that generate power play a major role here. To achieve this, up to several hundred metres of cables are laid in a single wind turbine. But trade in cooper wires is a lucrative business, and both wind farms in operation as well as wind turbines still being built are frequently targeted by thieves. As well as copper wires, thieves are also after expensive devices such as construction cranes and tools, not to mention fuels. The damage is huge: in addition to actual material damage, deadline extensions during the construction phase, loss of revenue and expensive repair costs all have to be reckoned with. Moreover, wind energy doesn’t meet with approval everywhere. Protest actions repeatedly result in banal acts of vandalism. The perpetrators take advantage of the often remote location of the wind turbines. The consequences range from graffiti to the destruction of parts of the turbine. 

Whether theft, sabotage or vandalism, tampering with wind turbines entails major risks for the operators and often puts the intruders’ lives at risk. It is therefore vital for wind farm operators to invest in the security of their turbines. Mobile video surveillance systems enable round-the-clock monitoring of extensive areas of land and can be used 24 hours a day. They are therefore a cost-effective alternative or even addition to conventional site security. The camera systems can also be supplemented by other useful warnings systems such as fire detection systems. This provides even more security and cost savings. Any unnecessary travel to the wind farm can thus be eliminated.