Solar Enables Remote Surveillance for Utilities

USAT Powers Completely Wireless Remote Surveillance for Utilities

Utilities Serving Millions Require Remote Surveillance To Protect Their Equipment

Large public utilities serving millions of people across large geographic areas have to find a way to remotely monitor their equipment for a wide range of reasons, from detecting security breaches and preventing theft to monitoring weather conditions that may damage equipment. This can be challenging for utilities that service rural areas since they often need to find a completely wireless solution.

The Challenge

Creating a Completely Wireless, Remote Surveillance and Monitoring Solution

During inclement weather, utility companies are often faced with decisions about when and if to power down certain facilities. However, sending personnel to the facility - especially when the weather could be dangerous - isn't always feasible. In those scenarios, monitoring the equipment and facility remotely can help make determinations critical to maintaining the utility infrastructure's integrity without putting personnel in harm's way or increasing labor and travel costs.

When evaluating video surveillance technologies, many utilities have turned to USAT to provide a solution to monitor remote distribution points for adverse conditions. Not only does the solution provide video surveillance technology to help monitor and protect remote locations, but it's also entirely wireless and runs on solar power, making it the ideal solution for utility substations and well sites in remote areas with limited infrastructure.

Solar powered cellular video surveillance for utilities

The Solution

Solar-Powered Surveillance with Motorola Solutions, Sun Surveillance, Digi

USAT's solar-powered surveillance solution brings together components from MCA Security Solutions - featuring equipment from Sun Surveillance and Motorola Solutions - as well as Digi, to create a wireless surveillance platform that is energy-efficient, compact, and optimized for rapid, cost-effective deployment for security, operations, and business intelligence applications.

Sun Surveillance's solar arrays, poles, mounts, and NEMA enclosures are paired with a wireless connectivity solution designed by USAT featuring the Digi IX20 cellular router and an MCA Security Solutions system featuring Motorola Solutions' Avigilon cameras linked up with Avigilon’s Control Center and Motorola’s CommandCentral applications, that aims to deliver video coverage in areas previously unreachable by traditional surveillance systems.

The Digi IX20 boasts a high-performance architecture that provides primary and backup connectivity for wide area network (WAN) connections over 4G LTE networks and beyond. USAT's wireless solutions ensure failover between multiple cellular carriers. The Digi IX20's flexible power and connectivity options and its ability to withstand extended temperature ranges make it a versatile product that can handle harsh environments.

Motorola's CommandCentral can provide clear incident management by relying on AI-generated analytics and manually inputting information to kick off and manage workflows to remediate and respond to issues. Optional amplified speakers provide remote security personnel to warn off intruders or vandals to prevent equipment loss or injury.

The Results

High-Resolution Visuals with Remote, Fully Wireless Monitoring

The solar-powered surveillance solution transmits live, panoramic HD video via Motorola Solutions' Avigilon H4 cameras and allows users to experience coverage in perimeter and outdoor areas for enhanced security and operations monitoring. In one popular deployment, the system uses the Digi IX20 to transmit video wirelessly to a central hub housed within a NEMA enclosure and powered by an auxiliary solar panel and deep-cycle batteries. The configuration allows users to access the video from numerous locations via the network.

With the Digi-enabled, USAT-designed solution, the utility provider can monitor its remote transmission and distribution lines to make informed decisions about operational processes and potential risks and respond accordingly. Operators can minimize site visits and allocate time to critical tasks to boost productivity and cut costs. The video system also allows the utility to protect personnel from risks of injury better and respond faster during emergencies.

By increasing efficiencies and lowering costs, the system can shift from overall situational awareness to situation assessment, resulting in greater customer service and satisfaction.

Our Team

Device Provisioning, Activation and Installation Services

USAT specializes in designing and deploying fixed and mobile wireless data connectivity solutions for organizations of all sizes — complete with implementation, training, proof of concept (POC), system auditing, and on-site RF surveying services with optional engineering maintenance contracts. Our team not only helps you select, provision, and activate devices, we make sure they work in practical applications and real-life situations.

For over 25 years, USAT has provided mobile communications solutions for various utility applications across the USA. With our extensive catalog of world-class routers, gateways, and software designed for remote monitoring and management in even the harshest environments — you can count on us to get and keep you connected.

Better mobile connectivity translates to less manual equipment maintenance, reduced downtime, and an overall increase in your business's ROI. Contact the experts at USAT to learn how our wireless networking solutions can help meet your organization's exacting needs.