Coillte security partner wins Innovation award

Monday 12 December 2011

Security experts Niscayah delivered an innovative solution for Coillte which involved a CCTV camera, powered by a wind-turbine and a solar panel. The equipment is mounted onto a 15 metre CCTV pole and transmits footage to an external control room.

As part of an overall review of forest security by Coillte, a new and innovative approach was taken to harness the use of technology to minimise timber theft, antisocial behaviour and illegal dumping. In order to align this inititive with Coillte's core values of sustainable management, surveilance equipment was installed at known blackspots that was powered by 100% renewable sources. Coillte partnered with Niscayah to develop the solution that uses both wind and solar energy to generate electricity that powers CCTV cameras. These cameras were remotely monitored using the 3G wireless mobile network.

The development of this innovative prototype in very remote rural locations with no fixed power source or telecommunications has pushed the bounds of what technology can do. The innovative idea was developed through different iterations where key concepts and insights were used to refine and validate the prototype. Coillte is a progressive company and has embraced innovation, seeing it as one of the key values of the organisation.