Challenge
A regional electric utility manages a network of permanent substations that keep the power flowing across their service area. Some of these sites are next to public roads, trails, or open land, which makes them easy targets for trespassers, vandals, and copper thieves. These incidents aren’t just a nuisance; they create real safety risks, increase repair costs, and threaten reliable service for customers.
The utility knew they couldn’t just put permanent cameras at every substation. It would be too expensive, take too long, and many sites don’t have easy access to power or network connections. What they really needed was a security solution that could provide constant, elevated surveillance, give quick visibility into what was happening on site, and be flexible enough to move or scale as threats changed across their substations.
Solution
The utility deployed Mobile Pro Systems pole-mounted security units at several high-risk substations. Each unit was installed on pre-existing poles or custom-mounted supports to provide elevated, wide-area coverage of critical site features including perimeter fences, access gates, transformer yards, and high-value equipment areas.
The pole-mounted units operated independently using solar-assisted power and cellular connectivity, eliminating the need for permanent wiring or reliance on substation infrastructure. Integrated camera analytics allowed automated monitoring to detect unauthorized access, loitering and afterhours activity. Alerts and live video were sent directly to the utility’s security operations center, allowing operators to quickly verify the nature of any activity and coordinate appropriate responses with field personnel or local law enforcement.
The units also provided operational oversight, enabling the utility to monitor contractor activity, verify maintenance work outside normal hours, and ensure compliance with safety protocols—all while maintaining continuous coverage without requiring a full-time staff on site.
Result
The deployment of pole-mounted units delivered continuous, reliable surveillance for the utility’s permanent substations. Security teams were able to detect and respond to trespassing and theft attempts more quickly, while several potential incidents were deterred entirely due to just the visible presence of elevated cameras. Real-time video verification reduced false alarms and unnecessary dispatches, allowing staff to focus resources on genuine threats.
Elevated monitoring improved worker safety and operational oversight, providing visibility into site conditions before field crews arrived. Recorded footage supported incident investigations, regulatory compliance, and risk management reviews, giving the utility actionable intelligence for long-term infrastructure protection. The flexible deployment model allowed units to be repositioned or extended to additional substations as risk profiles evolved, creating a scalable, cost-effective security solution for critical infrastructure.
