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Wind Energy: The Green Energy Source of the Future

Enterprise Security Magazine | Saturday, January 22, 2022

For over 1,300 years, humans have used windmills to convert the power of the wind to mechanical energy. In contrast to early windmills, modern wind turbines utilize generators and other components to transform the energy generated by the spinning blades into a steady flow of alternating current electricity.

FREMONT, CA: Wind energy accounts for a tiny but growing share of electricity generation. It generates 5 percent of worldwide electricity production and 7 percent of the United States' electrical supply.

Wind energy worldwide exceeds 651 gigawatts, which is greater than grid-connected solar energy and around half of what hydropower can offer. Wind farms generate almost three-quarters of the 651 gigawatts in five countries: China, the United States, Germany, India, and Spain. Wind energy capacity has tripled across the Americas over the last decade.

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Currently, the United States has more wind turbines than it needs to generate 100 million watts of electricity, or around 29 million megawatts, which is enough to power all of the country's average homes.

Wind energy's cost has decreased dramatically during the last decade. In the US, it is cost-competitive with natural gas and solar energy.

Wind and solar energy are complementary, as wind is frequently highest after the sun has heated the ground for a while. Warm air rises from the hottest locations, creating a vacuum into which other air can rush, resulting in horizontal wind currents. Wind energy is advantageous in places that are overcast or dark to generate significant amounts of solar energy, particularly at higher latitudes. People can use solar energy throughout the day and wind energy at night and in the evening.

Typical utility-scale land-based wind turbines are approximately 250 feet tall and have an average capacity of 2.55 megawatts, capable of powering hundreds of homes. While land-based wind farms are sometimes in distant locations, most of them are easily accessible and connect to existing electricity infrastructures.

Smaller turbines, frequently used in distributed systems that generate electricity for local use rather than sale, stand on average around 100 feet tall and generate between 5 and 100 kilowatts.

While tall offshore wind turbines lack some of the advantages of land-based wind farms, their use is increasing due to their ability to harness the energy of strong, dependable winds high in the air near coasts, which are home to the majority of the world's largest cities. One type of offshore wind turbine now under development stands 853 feet tall, or four-fifths the height of the Eiffel Tower, and can produce 13 megawatts of electricity. They are adjusted for wind variances, sufficient to power thousands of households continuously.

Engineers are in the early stages of developing airborne wind turbines. The components are either buoyed by a gas such as helium or utilize their aerodynamics to remain high in the air, where the wind is greater. These devices are being evaluated for usage offshore, where traditional wind turbines on tall towers are prohibitively expensive and difficult to build.

Trees, which can survive gale strength and yet move in response to gusts from any direction, also inspire new wind energy technology concepts. Engineers have speculated on the possibility of creating artificial wind-harvesting trees. This would necessitate the development of novel materials and systems capable of converting the energy contained in a tree's complicated movements into the continuous rotation required by conventional generators. Wind energy harvesting closer to the ground with smaller, less visible devices and in areas with complex airflows, such as cities, is the prize.

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Access control systems allow businesses to control who enters their buildings and which areas they can access. They use electronic locks, access cards, mobile devices and software to manage entry. Many also keep a record of who comes and goes and connect with security cameras and visitor management systems, making it easier for security teams to monitor activity around the premises. For businesses, access control involves more than locking doors. Offices, factories, warehouses and data centers need to protect employees, equipment and confidential information without disrupting daily work. Security teams must also manage visitors, contractors and temporary workers whose access needs can change. Traditional methods can become difficult to manage as a business grows. Keys get lost, access cards may remain active after an employee leaves and permissions can become outdated when responsibilities change. Modern access control systems make it easier to manage these situations and keep track of who can enter each area. Managing Access As Workplaces Change Digital systems let administrators assign access based on an employee’s role, work schedule and location. An employee might be allowed into the main office but not the server room or a restricted storage area. Contractors can receive temporary access to specific spaces without being given permission to enter the entire building. When employees take on new responsibilities or leave the company, security teams can update their access without changing locks or collecting keys. If a security problem occurs, entry records can help staff understand what happened. For businesses with multiple locations, a central system makes it easier to manage who can enter each site without handling permissions separately. Access control also makes everyday security easier to manage. Visitor check-ins can be quicker, and valuable equipment and confidential information can be kept out of unauthorized hands. In factories, access can be limited to employees who need to enter certain work areas. In offices, these controls can keep private meeting rooms and sensitive documents accessible only to authorized staff. Cloud And Mobile Technology Change Access Cloud-based access control lets security teams manage permissions through a central platform instead of relying entirely on systems installed at individual locations. This can be useful for businesses with offices, warehouses or production facilities in different regions. “Modern Access Control Systems Make It Easier To Manage These Situations And Keep Track Of Who Can Enter Each Area.” However, moving access management to the cloud requires careful planning. Businesses need to know how their data is protected, who can change permissions and what happens if the internet connection goes down. Facilities that need uninterrupted access may require local controls that continue working during network outages.     Mobile credentials are also changing how employees enter buildings. Compatible smartphones can replace physical access cards, and administrators can issue or revoke digital credentials remotely. This makes it easier to manage new hires, departing employees and temporary visitors. Biometric systems use fingerprints or facial recognition to confirm a person’s identity. They can make getting into a building easier, but businesses need to think about how reliably they work, whether they are suitable for everyone and how personal data will be kept safe. Access control can also make daily security tasks more manageable. Visitors can get through check-in with less delay, while equipment and confidential information remain protected. In factories, businesses can restrict entry to specific work areas based on employees’ responsibilities. In offices, they can limit access to private meeting rooms and documents that should only be available to approved staff. Choosing The Right System Choosing an access control system involves more than comparing electronic locks and card readers. Businesses need to consider how the technology will work with their existing security equipment, employee processes and future needs. Integration is particularly important. Access records become more useful when security teams can review them alongside video footage, alarm notifications and visitor information. Systems that work with existing technology can reduce the need to replace equipment that is still useful. Cybersecurity also deserves close attention. Connected readers, controllers and management platforms can create vulnerabilities if they are poorly configured or not updated regularly. Buyers should examine login security, software maintenance, data protection and the provider’s process for fixing security weaknesses. 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The various components of identity control, data protection, workload monitoring and tested response plans must be integrated into a comprehensive security plan. Cloud providers who are aware of shared responsibility and who audit their controls as their infrastructure evolves can enhance resiliency while maintaining the cloud's flexibility. ...Read more
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