How Sunstone Systems, a UK company with solar power expertise, is revolutionising the way that smart cities keep residents safe

An award-winning UK company has developed groundbreaking technology that is facilitating solar-powered connectivity to revolutionise the way that smart cities keep their residents safe and secure. Sunstone Systems has created an innovative surveillance system, powered entirely by solar energy, that delivers high definition closed circuit television (HD CCTV) and telecommunications solutions to address the unique challenges of cities around the world, as they transform into smart cities.

Implementing Sunstone Systems’ groundbreaking solution in the UK Sunstone Systems is a testament to the expertise of UK companies and their ability to deliver pioneering solutions to smart cities around the world. London, Bristol and Birmingham are a few of the world’s leading smart cities and are strong examples of the success of integrating innovation across all elements of smart city operations including infrastructure and security. CCTV also continues to lay the foundation for more strategic smart city purposes – such as traffic management and crowd control.

Setting a benchmark for solutions designed to tackle urban challenges, the UK has internationally recognised strengths in integrating city-wide systems serving transport, energy and security networks. Sunstone System’s Solar IP CCTV System (SICS), is already being utilised in Birmingham to provide surveillance for a key highway connecting the city’s National Exhibition Centre and airport. The project involved a number of key stakeholders from Highways England, Kier and Birmingham City Airport. The solution uses key data to provide valuable insights into how smart cities can become more efficient at managing traffic flow.

Exporting this UK expertise to governments and companies around the world

Sunstone Systems’ solutions have also been utilised by a number of other countries around the world to tackle their unique surveillance and telecommunications challenges. The Sunstone Solar IP CCTV System was originally designed for Chevron and Tengizchevroil to secure their compounds in Tengiz, Kazakhstan. The robust, rapid deployment system, powered entirely by solar, has been designed to withstand temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to +80 degrees while providing remote surveillance and telecommunications across a wireless network.

Connectivity is central to the continued evolution of smart cities, and access to reliable, renewable, sustainable power is key to achieving this objective. Sunstone’s innovative solar-powered solutions ensure that critical and indispensable technologies, such as surveillance, wireless networks and satellites, are never compromised, regardless of challenging environmental factors – such as extreme temperatures. This is one of the key reasons why Sunstone Systems is a natural fit for governments and companies in the GCC looking to drive their smart city agenda in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Sunstone Systems’ founder, Paul Schelhaas, said: “Our focus has always been on developing sustainable solutions that create significant savings for our partners. Reduced CO2 emissions without compromising efficiency remains at the core of our operational ethos.”

Sustainable CCTV solutions crucial to achieving the GCC nations’ smart city visions

The GCC is keen to drive forth the smart city revolution with projects such as Saudi’s Neom project and the tech-driven Aljada in Sharjah presenting just a few examples of how the region is working with world-class international players to develop their smart city infrastructure.

In the Gulf, there is an innovative strategic shift towards the use of CCTV to underpin resident security and power smart city services. Across the UAE, in particular, there is an increase in the number of public and private sector organisations installing CCTV cameras. In 2018, Dubai Police launched an initiative for residents to secure their properties by installing CCTV cameras. Residents can download the Dubai Police smart app to sign up to the home security service to activate police patrols to their homes as needed.

Playing an important role in supporting the UAE’s clean energy strategy

The UAE ‘Energy Strategy 2050’, focused on increasing the contribution of clean energy from 25 per cent to 50 per cent by 2050, will play a key role in reducing the UAE carbon footprint of power generation by 70 per cent. With an estimated saving of AED 700 billion projected by 2050, the initiative will increase the consumption efficiency of individuals and corporates by 40 per cent

The UAE is committed to producing 75% of its energy from clean sources by 2050. Through our technology, we are able to facilitate a steady and reliable source of energy not only economically but with improved availability – even in the most challenging of conditions.” said Schelhaas.

The UAE has year-long, uninterrupted access to the natural resource of sunlight. The country benefits from very high solar irradiation levels best placing it to harness solar energy; this also makes it an ideal location for installations, enabling it to become one of the largest producers of solar energy per capita in the world.

Schelhaas concluded: “There is no doubt that Sunstone’s solutions can play a key role in helping GCC governments achieve their national visions, both in terms of environmental sustainability as well as driving the smart city agendas. We look forward to partnering with these countries to strategically support these initiatives.”

For more information on Sunstone Systems visit www.sunstone-systems.com.

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