Credible Energy Meter Management Pro s and Con s of deploying different meter types and meter reading technology in Nigeria Presented by: Engineer Abiodun Ajifowobaje CEO - Ikeja Power Distribution Company Riaan Naude Technical Specialist Consolidated African Technologies David Baugh MD Power and Automation Technologies Limited
Overview Metering options available: Smart Metering (Automated Meter Reading) Walk-By AMR (Pulse Count) Radio / Mesh Network Technology PLC (Power Line Communications) Cellular Technology (SMS / 3G/ GPRS Communications) Conventional Credit Metering (Electro Mechanical Meters) Legacy Electro Mechanical Meters IR Communications Port Enabled Meters Pre-Paid Metering
How many of these do you have?
The Problem Due to perceived inaccurate accounts customers do not pay regularly and want pre-paid meters. Accounts are not necessarily inaccurate, but rather a result of a billing & distribution distortion caused by: varying billing cycles Irregular electricity supply results in variations in consumption. Infrequent and limited access to premises Estimation of accounts based on inconsistent history Faulty and obsolete meters
The Problem IKEJA DISCO already has 250 000 good quality Electro- Mechanical meters installed (typically 3million countrywide) Replacing them will come at a huge cost especially if replacement is not necessary
Pre-Paid Meters - PRO s & CON s PRO s CON s Upfront payment Reduced need to visit meters Relatively cheap hardware Susceptible to Theft / Fraud - Irregular visits results in bypasses Reliable & Accessible Payment (Vending) should be available 24/7 to the public Vending from non-utility points provide fraud opportunity
Smart Metering - PRO s & CON s PRO s CON s Reduced need to visit meters Remote Cut-offs are possible No need for cash vending Susceptible to Theft / Fraud - Irregular visits result in bypasses Increased Capital Outlay Users pay for power after they have used it
Conventional Metering - PRO s & CON s PRO s CON s Less susceptible to theft & fraud due to regular visits No need for external cash vending Relatively cheap hardware Possibility of using field billing Need to regularly visit meters to obtain readings Remote Cut-offs not possible Labour intensive reading process Restricted access leads to estimated billing Users pay for power after they have used it
The Requirement The solution employed may not be a single strategy. Multiple measuring and reading technologies are often necessary to serve different types of customers / areas
The Requirement Whatever solution is installed must be agreeable the the end users Users should be able to trust the results of both the measuring and reading solutions.
The Requirement The utility needs to know all the advantages and disadvantages of every solution in order to best manage risk & return on investment.
The Solution Deploy technology best suited to the demographic, location and application Devise strategies to strengthen the deployed solutions in the areas where it comes up short or is open to abuse Inspect meters even when the manufacturer claims they are tamper proof or tamper resistant
CAT s African Footprint Representation Over 400 sites in 13 17 Countries Benin Botswana Cameroon Egypt Ghana Kenya Lesotho Malawi Mozambique Namibia Nigeria Rwanda South Africa Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe 13
RouteMaster Handheld Computer Ultra Rugged - IP67 - Waterproof & Submersible. Communications: USB, Ethernet, WiFi & Bluetooth. Optional Modules: Integrated GPS, RFID, 3G, Colour Imager or Barcode Scanner. Backlit Easy Keyboard designed for meter reading. Color touch-screen. Intelligent Lithium-Ion battery pack. Additional battery packs. 2 x PCMCIA Expansion Card Slots. Microsoft Windows CE.NET 5.0/6.0
RouteMaster Loader Chargers Single & Multi-unit loader/chargers Simple drop-in operation Internet Simultaneous communications and charging Ethernet or USB communications Intelligent Software allows unattended communications operation.
Other Hardware Software is hardware agnostic and could be run on most devices with limited development. Superior Ruggedness, Reliability and IP rating is essential.
RouteMaster Device Software User Friendly Software In-field verification of captured readings No-Access / Notes Changed Meters / New Services Search Capabilities GPS location Remote communications capable
Import: Customisable Data Integrity Checks Meter Reader Routes are created in a hierarchical structure Support for all Radix and select other handheld computers Customisable Reading Exceptions Problems need to be resolved by supervisor before the reading route is audited and exported.
Global Positioning System (GPS) Stores Geographical Information. Can be used to locate meters with Radix FW950 Ensures meter reader goes to meter. Tracks meter readers using Google Earth.
Google Earth
Remote Mobile Service (RMS) Downloads and uploads in the field using Radix FW950 with integrated 3G card Downloads and uploads from remote offices via wired ethernet Ideal for remote sites Regular updates from the field, checks meter readers progress
Reporting Reports customisable New reports easy to generate Reports: Activity Productivity Reading Summary Route Trend
Imaging Confirms visit to meter Allows visual confirmation of the reading No-Access: proven by condition photograph Forced Imaging rules are settable.
Field Billing Electricity Bill is printed on the customers premises. Accelerates meter reading to billing cycle Improved cash flow. Customer can see reading on bill and confirm actual reading on meter. Reduces Queries Improves Credibility Rugged Radix FP400 Printer Bill is water & fade resistant Bluetooth communications IP54 One moving part only
Field Billing Process Fieldworker And Printer Billing System RMA.Net Return User Billing RouteMaster.Net Fieldworker Data Meter Account is system data returned is is is uploaded dispatched provides visited printed to sequences the and Accounts On Meter Loads Equiped Billing And Site readings meter System as with are meter reading flagged printer and captured for reading Account data to Data indicate Is processing captured if they were printed in the field or not Meter Reading Route Consumer Account
FRONT Typical Field Bill BACK
Architecture Client Server architecture Utilises Microsoft SQL Server 2005 / 2008 Built using latest Visual Studio.Net Platform Online automatic updates and service patches Up to Windows 8 and X64 (64 Bit variants)
Support If enabled through your firewall: Online support Centralised settings repository Remote update client Direct Telephonic Support
Automatic Updates RMA.Net stays up to date using Microsoft Update Services Ensures Secure Communications Ensures latest available version and patches
Summary of RMA.net Features Latest supported Microsoft platform and Tools Completely Scalable Enterprise Solution Billing system independent Route Management Modular expansion of web and communications abilities SQL Server Based Security WAN Communications (RMS) Automatic Updates GPS capable Field Billing
C.A.T. s Customer Base
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