I N DUST RY INS IGH TS | Sponsored editorial
REMOTE OR UNMANNED ASSETS
DON’T HAVE TO BE INVISIBLE Many utility assets around Australia are either remote or unmanned, which can make security or even checking on the site difficult. But with advanced and smart surveillance technology, it’s possible to have an active set of eyes anywhere in the country.
O
ne of the great challenges of managing a utility network across a country as large as Australia is that many utility assets have to be remote and unmanned. While drones are great for undertaking asset surveys, this is a sporadic assessment and can only be done with human intervention. Since issues can arise on a network at any time, many operators would love to have visibility of their network at all times to gain a better view of what might be causing any problems, without needing to travel to an asset that might be hundreds of kilometres away. This is where remote asset surveillance can come in to play a critical role in assessing what is happening on a network. Spectur offers one such solution that can monitor a variety of assets – including gas metering stations, pump stations, dams and water catchment, telecommunications towers, power generators, transmission towers and substations – to provide visibility in places where traditional vision systems cannot reach.
PREVENT DAMAGE AND INTRUDERS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS Being solar-powered, Spectur’s camera and surveillance systems can give network operators a reliable set of eyes on their assets, even at sites far away from power and internet connection.
38
UTILITY • FEBRUARY 2023
Even when power is available, the cost and complication of excavations and tie-ins to existing infrastructure can make traditional wired solutions uneconomic or simply impractical. Spectur solutions can be mounted above ground or even to fences to avoid any ground intrusion along with other permit-requiring works. For utilities and critical assets located in bushland and the outback, these remote sites often have limited internet access and depend on wired electricity. For many operators, there is little they can do in such remote and harsh locations. Some may deploy drones for condition surveys or limited security staff, fences and locks, but most of the time, they just have to do nothing and deal with intruders or damage after the fact. Spectur systems can offer utilities in remote locations self-reliant surveillance, crime deterrence and even communications. Spectur camera stations consist of up to four cameras and are entirely wireless, with rechargeable batteries and solar panels, which means they can be placed anywhere – even if there is no wired power connection available. Additionally, Spectur systems have in-built storage and a 3G/4G modem to store data and send alerts, even when set up in areas where wired internet, mobile reception or satellite connection is not an option, making these systems dependable. For particularly challenging areas of reception, WWW.UTILITYMAGAZINE.COM.AU