International. Aeon Security and Future Fiber Technologies (FFT) announced the development of a new type of security system for the protection of large perimeters and the prevention of criminal actions, called Security Monitor®.
Due to Brazil's recent investment in green energy, solar power plants are attracting the attention of local criminal factions. Those groups are specializing in attacking power plants and pose a huge operational risk, as their actions can result in the loss of panels and equipment worth millions of dollars.
The system is based on the point detection of intruders through FFT optical fibers and the rapid visualization of events using long-range PTZ cameras from Axis Communications. The solution works with optical fibers buried around the perimeter, connected to the FFT controller, creating a protection zone, in which each disturbance captured by the fiber is identified with GPS, alerting the operations center in the security room and activating the nearest camera to verify what caused the intrusion event.
If the event is confirmed, the deterrent system fires, turning on the IP speakers with pre-recorded messages to alert the intruder that he has been seen on camera and order him to back off. If it does not comply, the solar farm's safety team is sent to intercede. The Security Monitor is based on the latest FFT Aura Ai-2 technology, with more than 250,000 hours of MTBF, which allows active detection around the perimeter for more than 25 years.
Since 2021, Security Monitor is operating at the Alex solar power plant, one of the largest in the world, with more than 13 km of perimeter, with excellent results. This allowed companies to move towards new projects, both inside and outside Brazil, such as Futura and Janaúba I & II – with more than 100 km of perimeter – solar power plants, all based on Security Monitor. Its goal is to offer a solution that can help prevent and diminish attempts by any criminal action to steal or damage any property or private property.
"Latin America continues to be an important region for Aeon Security and FFT. As the market grows at a rapid pace, especially in Brazil's solar farm segment, our customers demand cost-effective security solutions to support their long-term goals. We are pleased that they consider FFT's Aura Ai solutions to deliver the best performance, both in high accuracy and in low-disturbing alarms, and we look forward to continuing the success as we deliver our deep learning-based products in this key market space," says Jim Viscardi, Executive Vice President, Global Security, FFT.
According to the Goiás and Santa Catarina State Police, criminal factions are specializing in stealing solar panels and complexes. Their report claims that around $4 million worth of panels and equipment were already stolen in the first half of 2022 alone. Aeon and FFT's efforts are focused on making those factions have a hard time when they try to steal, due to the effectiveness and accuracy of the Security Monitor in the field.
The activities of criminal factions represent a major concern for Brazil's complexes and companies. With national investment in green energy surpassing $19 billion in 2022, solar power plants are attracting the attention of specialized criminal groups and becoming one of their favorite targets, due to their remote location and size. These gangs act in many ways, both armed and disarmed, and their target is always boards and small equipment, such as copper wires, cables, etc. Their action also poses a safety issue for the plant's workers, as they are characterized by hostage-taking and being violent towards locals.
"Preventing criminal activity around solar parks is our main concern. That's why we put a lot of effort into developing such an extremely reliable system as the Security Monitor. We firmly believe that shareholders of companies can sleep better knowing that their investments have the best and safest solution on the market," says Bernardo Falcón, Director of Aeon Security.
The recent growth of criminal activities targeting critical structures is a major concern for experts at Brazil's security firms. Now, more than ever, they must be vigilant and creative to develop and update security solutions and systems to stay ahead of the criminal organization, being able to prevent and stop their activities before the worst happens.
