Westmill Solar Farm is located in a remote area on the outskirts of Swindon. In addition to the cost of replacing solar panels, the ability to provide power for the National Grid could be severely affected if acts of theft or malicious damage were to occur. A security solution was therefore required which would allow mobile patrols to be rapidly directed to the precise location of any incident.
Upon completion of a tender process, Blue Energy awarded the contract to install a security system to Reading-based systems integrator Westronics Fire & Security.
While the robustness and ease of use of the security system (which needed to be effective regardless of the weather or lighting conditions) was the top priority, it was considered important not to increase light pollution in a location which is surrounded by green belt land.
The client was also keen to minimise the running costs of the system. A conventional intruder alarm system verified by standard CCTV cameras would not, therefore, have been acceptable as this would have involved the installation of supplementary lighting.
Robust detection and signalling system
Working closely with Unipart Security Solutions and a number of security equipment manufacturers, Westronics designed a robust detection and signalling system which combines microwave perimeter detection, thermal imaging and high speed transmission technologies.
Microwave detection fencing, finely tuned to negate false alarms, is located one metre in from deer fencing which is installed around the site’s perimeter. When an intruder is detected, a FLIR PT series system, which incorporates both a highly sensitive thermal imaging camera and a high resolution day/night security camera, is automatically moved to observe and capture images of the event.
The images are immediately transmitted over broadband to Unipart Security’s Monitoring and Response Centre where operators are on hand 24/7 to analyse the images and, if appropriate, deploy a mobile patrol and/or report the incident to the police.
Back-up signalling is available if required by way of GPRS transmission, while images of incidents are recorded on a Dallmeier DVR so that they can be passed on to the police as evidence if required.
NSI Gold Category II ARC
The Unipart Security Monitoring and Response Centre is an NSI Gold Category II ARC and RVRC accredited facility. Located at Unipart Group’s headquarters in Oxford, the centre uses a fully-integrated operating platform which allows its operators to monitor clients’ premises and respond to any incidents or emergencies, regardless of whether the system at the protected premises is analogue or IP network-based.
Commenting on the project, Chris Dean (managing director of Blue Energy) said: “I’m delighted to report that the system has exceeded our expectations. The project took just eight weeks to complete, and the efforts of all involved have resulted in a facility which is capable of providing just under 5 MW of power for the National Grid while offsetting 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.”
Dean went on to state: “Westronics, Unipart Security’s Monitoring and Response Centre and the security equipment manufacturers involved all played a significant role in ensuring the security system was commissioned on time. This was vitally important as there needed to be a very high level of protection from the moment the solar farm went operational.”
He concluded: “We’re extremely satisfied with the system which gives us peace of mind in knowing that operators at the Unipart Security Monitoring and Response Centre are able to watch over our highly valued asset 24/7.”
About Unipart Security Solutions and Westronics Fire & Security
Unipart Security Solutions provides bespoke security guarding services, alarm and CCTV monitoring, vehicle and asset tracking, portfolio management, lone worker protection, risk consultancy and investigative solutions.
The company’s expertise has been accumulated over a 20-year period and mirrors the growth and success of its parent organisation the Unipart Group. Each new business and each new client has brought the responsibility of securing goods and assets, providing an ongoing security challenge for its in-house security managers who look to stay one step ahead of potential threats.
Westronics, meanwhile, is an independent fire and security systems company which services customers throughout the South of England and Wales. Established in 1969, its business is focused on the four core areas of fire systems, intruder alarms, access control and CCTV systems.
In 1972, Westronics was the first installer to be accredited by the NSCIA, now known as the NSI, and Certificate No: 0001 is proudly displayed at the company’s offices in Reading.
Westronics is supported by “a solid structure” of qualified experts and professionals who are widely recognised as one of the leading service and installation teams within the security and fire industry.
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