With affordability, convenience, and sustainability the ruling buzzwords of our times, the power sector finds itself on the threshold of exciting new changes. Indeed, as part of the nation’s larger vision of making electricity a reality for every home, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) – India’s apex power sector planning body – has prioritized converting all electricity meters into smart meters.
CHANGE MAY BE MESSY, BUT IS NECESSARY
Old is often gold in the traditional Indian household, which means it may take some effort to implement the transition from the age of old meters to the era of smart meters, which come in both prepaid and postpaid avatars. That said, a slew of significant and measurable benefits will doubtless catalyze the behavior and systemic change.
For one, new meters will release households from the tedious task of recording and submitting readings to the electricity supplier manually every month. That’s not all. With old meters, receiving updates on how much energy one is using can be cumbersome and lead to information that can be inaccurate. Old meters also need to be positioned in a handy place for easy access, adding yet another hurdle to daily use and adoption.
NEW AGE, NEW EDGE
The story changes entirely when one introduces the new generation of smart meters into the picture. These new meters are connected through a web-based monitoring system. They require a two-way communication network, control center equipment, and software applications that enable near real-time gathering and transfer of energy usage information. Once assembled, new smart meters are tested by engineers at the manufacturers’ end and by government-accredited labs – as per standards defined by BIS – and are deployed only after all parties are satisfied with the working of the equipment.
ADVANTAGES OF SMART PRE-PAID METERS
With human intervention minimized (and digitally quickened, thanks to breezy mobile apps over which the solution is being increasingly delivered) across key metering activities – such as reading, billing, payment, and collection – user convenience is significantly enhanced. Real-time visibility into usage status enables better decisions on current and future consumption while reducing chronic and undue stress. Stringent systems and automated control make both overpaying and underpaying practically impossible, coming as a relief for both consumers and distributors. Pilferage, theft, and leakage is all but eliminated.
BUILDING SMARTER ‘METER HABITS’
Advanced smart metering solutions – such as the ones developed by Radius – additionally allow for preventive and predictive action, empowering both user and provider to take back controls over their lifestyle, turning everyday ‘meter activities’ performative, and even ensuring better health and longevity of infrastructure and systems like grids and DGs.
According to EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited), a joint venture of four National Public Sector Enterprises – NTPC(National Thermal Power Corporation Limited), PFC(Power Finance Corporation Limited), REC(Rural Electrification Company Limited), and POWERGRID, set up under the Ministry of Power, Government of India – smart meters help to reduce commercial losses of utilities, enhance revenues and serve as an important tool in Power Sector reform.
