Copper wires and other electricity-related assets can be attractive targets for thieves -- but stealing electrical infrastructure carries risks beyond the legal realm.
The Associated Press is reporting that police have found evidence of an attempt to steal $100 worth of copper wiring from an electrical substation in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The evidence, which reportedly includes a melted hacksaw covered in soot, suggests that a thief broke into the substation and came in contact with live wires carrying 23,000 volts. Yesterday's incident apparently caused a small explosion and temporarily disrupted the power supply to the local area. The police have stated that the would-be thief is likely severely injured or dead.
Copper thieves are presumably hoping to cut the metal out of its installation and sell it for scrap. While the value of bulk quantities of scrap copper has been at a relative historic high, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that copper pricing has fallen due to expected decreases in European economic activity, selling on the New York Mercantile Exchange's Comex division for $3.39 per pound. It would be a desperate thief indeed who risks electrocution for any price, let alone copper's scrap value.
This incident follows on a report earlier this month of the arguably more sophisticated theft of solar panels, inverters and batteries from U.S. Forest Service facilities in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire.
Energy powers society; society's choices shape energy policy. A blog about our energy resources and the choices they present for society.
Showing posts with label theft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theft. Show all posts
Securing solar panels against theft
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
As more solar panels are installed in remote locations, how can they be secured against theft?
Between new, more efficient technologies and government incentive programs, people are installing solar photovoltaic panels at a much faster rate than in the past. While most solar PV projects are being developed on industrial or commercial buildings or homes, remote or off-the-grid solar projects form a growing sector of the market. This can be particularly cost-effective where traditional grid-based electricity would be cost-prohibitive to install. For example, the National Park Service is using solar panels to power campground facilities in remote locations, as are state park units and other public land management agencies like the U.S. Forest Service.
Theft of these solar panels and related electric equipment may be a growing problem in some locations. For example, the Manchester Union Leader reports that thieves stole a variety of equipment including solar panels, electrical panels, charge controllers, inverters and deep cycle batteries from Forest Service facilities along New Hampshire's Kancamagus Highway this past winter. Along with associated vandalism, the damage and losses to the campground and visitor facilities in the White Mountain National Forest are reported to exceed $10,000.
For some years, electric utilities have faced similar challenges in the form of copper theft, where thieves steal wires and other electric equipment for its value as scrap metal. As people, businesses and agencies other than utilities become distributed producers of electric energy, they are being exposed to the parallel risk of solar panel theft. Securing solar energy equipment could take a variety of forms, from physical security (e.g. bolting the equipment down more securely) to monitoring, patrols, or electronic surveillance. Adding more security to an installation may increase its costs somewhat, but may be a good investment for some situations compared to the risk of loss.
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| New Hampshire's Swift River, along the Kancamagus Highway. |
Between new, more efficient technologies and government incentive programs, people are installing solar photovoltaic panels at a much faster rate than in the past. While most solar PV projects are being developed on industrial or commercial buildings or homes, remote or off-the-grid solar projects form a growing sector of the market. This can be particularly cost-effective where traditional grid-based electricity would be cost-prohibitive to install. For example, the National Park Service is using solar panels to power campground facilities in remote locations, as are state park units and other public land management agencies like the U.S. Forest Service.
Theft of these solar panels and related electric equipment may be a growing problem in some locations. For example, the Manchester Union Leader reports that thieves stole a variety of equipment including solar panels, electrical panels, charge controllers, inverters and deep cycle batteries from Forest Service facilities along New Hampshire's Kancamagus Highway this past winter. Along with associated vandalism, the damage and losses to the campground and visitor facilities in the White Mountain National Forest are reported to exceed $10,000.
For some years, electric utilities have faced similar challenges in the form of copper theft, where thieves steal wires and other electric equipment for its value as scrap metal. As people, businesses and agencies other than utilities become distributed producers of electric energy, they are being exposed to the parallel risk of solar panel theft. Securing solar energy equipment could take a variety of forms, from physical security (e.g. bolting the equipment down more securely) to monitoring, patrols, or electronic surveillance. Adding more security to an installation may increase its costs somewhat, but may be a good investment for some situations compared to the risk of loss.
August 25, 2010 - tidal energy; sewage anaerobic digestion
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
What is the first federal facility anywhere to use tidal power as an energy source? A Coast Guard station in Eastport, Maine is claiming the title with its project to install Ocean Renewable Power Company's tidal energy turbine and generator. ORPC installed a 60 kW tidal turbine and generator in March 2010. Last week, ORPC announced that the unit had commenced powering the Coast Guard's 41' utility boat with electricity of a quality compatible with being grid-tied. Yesterday, in Eastport, there was a celebration of the project's successes and promises.
Lewiston and Auburn, two of Maine's largest sister cities on either side of the Androscoggin River, share sewer treatment services through the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority. Currently, the plant treats 12.7 million gallons of sewage per day. This process results in two major products: clean water, and the solids that (in technical ways, if not semantically) make up the difference between sewage and water. The authority mixes about half of the solids with wood to make a marketable compost, but has to pay to dispose the remaining solids. Now, the authority is considering installing an anaerobic digestion plant. This plant would have two major effects. First, it would significantly reduce the mass of solids requiring disposal -- up to a 40% reduction. Where that mass would go produces the second major effect of the plant: through anaerobic digestion, combustible gas (primarily methane) is produced from the solids. This gas can be burned in a gas turbine, which can be tied to a generator. For Lewiston-Auburn, gas production is estimated at 170,000 cubic feet of methane per day; the authority estimates that it can produce 2/3 of its own electricity requirements from this fuel stream. The cost? $16.6 million. On September 8, the board of the authority will vote on the project.
The public debate over wind energy's merits continues with this letter to the Lewiston Sun Journal critical of developing wind near small towns and mountains in Maine. Claims made include "they will not produce enough energy to make a dent in our needs, but it will make some investors very rich" and "the energy will be sold out of state".
Copper theft is an issue in Maine. Copper is valuable for its scrap value. Thieves strike utility infrastructure as well as homes. Here's a news report of a thief busted for stealing the copper piping from a house listed for sale.
Lewiston and Auburn, two of Maine's largest sister cities on either side of the Androscoggin River, share sewer treatment services through the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority. Currently, the plant treats 12.7 million gallons of sewage per day. This process results in two major products: clean water, and the solids that (in technical ways, if not semantically) make up the difference between sewage and water. The authority mixes about half of the solids with wood to make a marketable compost, but has to pay to dispose the remaining solids. Now, the authority is considering installing an anaerobic digestion plant. This plant would have two major effects. First, it would significantly reduce the mass of solids requiring disposal -- up to a 40% reduction. Where that mass would go produces the second major effect of the plant: through anaerobic digestion, combustible gas (primarily methane) is produced from the solids. This gas can be burned in a gas turbine, which can be tied to a generator. For Lewiston-Auburn, gas production is estimated at 170,000 cubic feet of methane per day; the authority estimates that it can produce 2/3 of its own electricity requirements from this fuel stream. The cost? $16.6 million. On September 8, the board of the authority will vote on the project.
The public debate over wind energy's merits continues with this letter to the Lewiston Sun Journal critical of developing wind near small towns and mountains in Maine. Claims made include "they will not produce enough energy to make a dent in our needs, but it will make some investors very rich" and "the energy will be sold out of state".
Copper theft is an issue in Maine. Copper is valuable for its scrap value. Thieves strike utility infrastructure as well as homes. Here's a news report of a thief busted for stealing the copper piping from a house listed for sale.
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