The global energy sector is undergoing a transformation. With road maps in place for 2030 and 2050; the projected shift of renewable energy in the power sector is targeted to increase from 25% to 85% by 2050.
This growth is mainly anticipated from the increase and investment in solar and wind power generation. Nuclear energy also has a fundamental role to play within this transformation as it can generate enormous amounts of reliable, carbon free electricity to compliment renewables generated by other sustainable means.
This industry transformation requires new approaches to power system planning. Sites and infrastructure to support the amounts of energy generation required will need protecting to minimise disruption, theft and terrorism. Energy supply assets are considered vital to the operations of entire systems and areas; the necessary security measures must be put into place to eliminate any supply failures. As the way in which energy is supplied changes, so must the security measures used – systems must adapt to the new facility requirements of carbon neutral supply.
Improvements in Battery Technology:
There will need to be innovation in battery technology to increase capacity and to pave the way for successful electricity storage; this currently limits the widespread use of renewable energy. Innovation to improve electric vehicle batteries will also be required to facilitate longer journey times. This will remove the current barriers from widespread adoption particularly by business fleets.
Increasing the Capacity of Nuclear Power Stations:
It takes years and millions of pounds worth of investment to set up nuclear power stations. Under this current model, it will be difficult to increase nuclear energy production to meet sustainable energy targets. One off nuclear power stations might be a thing of the past. New innovations such as ‘Small Modular Reactors’ could be the solution and will see an increase in popularity. They can be mass-produced in factories, carted to the site by ordinary lorries, and then assembled to generate cheap carbon-free electricity.
Nuclear energy is needed to underpin the increased demand of renewable energy and is a more stable source than wind or solar power. The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow!
Increased Demand in Sustainable Energy Resources:
Facilities producing carbon neutral energy will need to increase in capacity dramatically to meet the 85% renewable target by 2050. Global investment will need to scale up and structural changes to the energy system will be required to achieve the rapid and lasting decline in emissions called for by the world’s shared climate targets.
National infrastructure sites consist of those facilities, systems, sites, information, people, networks and processes necessary for a country to function and upon which daily life depends. It also includes sites which need protection due to the potential dangers they could pose to the public in the event of an emergency; i.e. civil nuclear and chemicals sites for example.
Physical security systems can help to protect assets, infrastructure and investment required to scale up facilities to meet sustainable energy targets.
If the storage and distribution of energy is to change in line with using new processes and materials to create renewable energy; physical security measures can adapt in line with new operating protocols.
Facilities can be secured using a layered approach to protect an outer perimeter and access points. Internal assets such as battery stores and alike can be secured via building and asset hardening measures like mesh cages and security cabinets as well as secure access doors and louvres.
It is important to identify the potential site vulnerabilities and operating protocols which might require increased security. Once security objectives have been outlined, engaging with physical security suppliers such as HS Security can then help to develop these objectives into a site plan and appropriate product design.
With the number and type of energy production facilities increasing, there is a chance that smaller sites will need to operate without or with decreased on-site security personnel.
Innovations in physical security include the introduction of remote fault monitoring systems. These systems can be programmed to track up to sixteen system inputs and outputs. Linking through to a central control centre. The smallest fault can be flagged to operatives as soon as detected. This can assist with the reduction of system downtime and can ensure that security is operational 24/7, 365 days a year. It will also aid service and maintenance procedures.
Historically, access control software was considered a vulnerability in system protocol. Cyber security measures can now be applied to such software to further safeguard the protection of assets. These can be used in conjunction with additional security measures which can be designed into sites such as ‘final denial barriers’.
For larger sites which will be fully manned, physical security measures can be used to keep employees and visitors safe. Barriers can be utilised to create site delineation and to provide edge protection to increase the safety and security on site for workers.
Within such a highly regulated industry; safety and security must be carefully planned with measures enhancing operating protocols.
Renewable energy plays a crucial role in delivering critical services, as such a robust standard of physical security has a role to play not just during a crisis but in the day-to-day protection of infrastructure for the generation, storage, and distribution of alternative energy.
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This guide aims to explain the intricacies of the Loss Prevention Certification Board's force test standard - LPS 1175. Many of the products within the HS Security product portfolio have been submitted for test in this way and third party accredited according to different security classes.
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The latest iteration of LPS 1175 is easily one of the biggest changes the standard has ever seen, with a complete reworking of the rating system. In this article, we take a look at what has changed and why.
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The layers of physical security are often likened to the layers of an onion or a traditional medieval castle with a moat and a drawbridge. Often referred to as ‘defence-in-depth’, this methodology a
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United Kingdom - Multi Site
United Kingdom - Multi Site
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Having worked within the construction, security & healthcare sectors for over 15 years, Kathryn has gained experience with large, highly regulated organisations including those in the Nuclear and Energy industry.
Working as Hardstaff Barrier’s Service Manager, Kathryn has been responsible for implementing business improvement processes across the company, including successfully achieving the ‘Fit for Nuclear’ accreditation last year.
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