Omnimesh tech can ensure over 99 pc data transmission accuracy

Advanced communication technologies and IoT capabilities, including in-meter gateways, support the digital transformation of the energy sector and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient energy infrastructure.

Ajoy A Rajani, Executive Vice Chairman- CyanConnode India

Theme: Making utilities sustainable (through technological, financial, and social… aspects). Smart Tamper Proof Energy Meters
One of the lingering issues with Indian power utilities is the high AT&C losses, which are attributed to tampered meters, incorrect meter readings, delays in meter reading/billing, non-working meters not being reported, etc. While a host of best practices have been implemented AT&C losses are still a concern and one of the issues not the meter tampering and theft of meters are completely addressed. This paper presents a novel smart meter that is tamper-proof and is easy to deploy without affecting customer (consumer) social/cultural aspects and at the same time enhancing customer experience.

One of the lingering issues with Indian power utilities is the high AT&C losses, which are attributed to tampered meters, incorrect meter readings, delays in meter reading/billing, etc. Due to these high AT&C losses, the sector still faces significant challenges. Most power distribution companies incur losses every year. The total loss is estimated to be more than ₹ 90,000 crore in FY 2021. Due to these high accumulated losses, DISCOMS are unable to pay the generators. As of March 2021, the generator’s overdue amount is ₹ 67,917 crore. Reduction of AT & C loss is the only way out for the DISCOMs to come back, and they will be able to upgrade the network to reduce the distribution losses due to the financial crunch.

A host of best practices for the reduction of AT&C losses have been implemented including

HVDS: Introduction of high voltage distribution system

AB Cable: Replacement of bare conductor by AB Cable to minimise hot link thefts

AMI / Smart metering for reduction of commercial losses through billing and
collection efficiencies

Tamper-proof meters / Pilfer-proof meters

Meters that inform the DISCOM if they are getting tampered with

Auto switch off supply if the bills are not paid

But despite these, the country still has one of the highest AT&C losses and one of the main issues that still seem to continue is tampering / theft of meters.

The Need

The immediate need is to deploy a tamper-proof smart meter that can be integrated into the AMI architecture at the same time utilising the available infrastructure and respecting the socio-cultural fabric and issues of the consumers of the country.

The concept

A typical meter has various functions and corresponding functional blocks in its implementation.

The typical functional blocks include:

Input module
Measuring module
Memory/data storage
Processing module
Communication module
Display module

Amongst the various functional modules, only the input module and display module need to have any external interface. The input module though is an interface to the external world that cannot be accessible to individual customers/consumers and can be at a location where the relevant customer-specific voltage and current signals can be tapped/acquired. Only the display module is of use to the consumer and thus other modules need not be in the premises of the consumer.

Split meter technology

The meter is vertically split into two distinct parts and is connected virtually through a
communication link.

Input Module

Measuring Module

Memory & Data storage

Process Module

Communication Module

Display Module

The display module can be any suitable handheld device including a smartphone is linked to the main outdoor device using a robust and appropriate communication link to facilitate just read the data.

The architecture
This section presents the topology and architecture of the split meter.

All the functions are physically incorporated in an outdoor pole-mounted IP65 tamper-proof enclosure. The unit also communicates and sends data to the central server. For the convenience of the customer, a small handheld device is provided to the customer/consumer for facilitating just reading of the energy/power parameters.

Features of pole-mounted split meter AMI

Some of the features of the novel split IP65, tamper-proof meter include

IP 65 Pole mounted meter. (Directly installed at the pole top, to avoid meter tampering / by-pass)

Ensure data redundancy. (We assured up to 98+ per cent data availability by using DRDHC communication protocol i.e. PLC + RF)

Tamperproof. The meter design excludes all kinds of tampering and immediately excludes commercial losses almost to 0.

Service life – 20 years – (Solidly designed, compact to have a better service life, backed with MTBF data for 144000 hours)

Time tested: – Meters are field tested for more than 15 + years with assured data, very effective if we take the total cost of ownership.

“Hamesha Ujjala” – (Peak demand management by reducing/limiting/rationing the power consumption for that specific period, to overcome the power blackouts) Fully complied with IS-16444 – (Applied for BIS certification) Interoperability.

Measuring, monitoring, data logging and communication modules housed in an outdoor Pole-mounted, tamper-proof IP65 enclosure.

Customers/consumers can read the data using a suitable device through a communication link.
No need to house the main meter module inside customer/consumer premises. No disturbance to consumer privacy for meter reading purposes.

No need to access customer/consumer premises for meter reading

Features

Meter that is split into two parts

Part 1 Comprises of Input module, Measuring module, Memory/data storage, Processing module, Communication module

Part 2 Comprises of just a display device in customer premises which informs the consumer about the units consumed. An app can be developed to include several features on a mobile like hourly consumption patterns, daily consumption patterns, alarms for peak demand etc.

Advantages

Advantages comprise of the meter becoming more compact. It need not be installed on customer premises. The technician need not visit the customer premises to read the meter. The inaccessibility of the meter makes it tamper-proof; hence various alarms related to tampering can be eliminated.

Benefits

The benefit to the DISCOM is the system is practically tamper-proof as the meter is accessible to the consumer or anyone else. The benefit to the consumer is that he can get value-added reports and information about his consumption in real-time and can act accordingly.

Case study/field experience

The technology has already been successfully demonstrated in various pilot and commercial/large-scale projects around the world. One such case study is presented in this section to highlight the benefits/advantages of split meter technology.

Around 2 million split meters are installed around the Russian Federation with 100 per cent data collection and 0 tampering cases in the last 18 years. These split meters are mainly used in rural regions.

Summary

While there has been significant progress in the reduction of AT&C losses in the country through appropriate interventions, the losses are still on the higher side thus offering further opportunities for optimisation. One such aspect is the case of meter theft/tempering. The paper presents a novel split-meter base AMI architecture. The presented concept has already been deployed in many parts of the world and is ready for large-scale rollout in India.

With this concept, the metering unit is an outdoor pole mounted in an IP65 tamper-proof enclosure with communication facilities. For the convenience of customers, a separate handheld unit is offered just to read the meter readings. This apart from eliminating tempering of meters also facilitates easy meter reading and there is no need to access consumer premises. The individual meter is not installed on private premises of customers/consumers, but on the utility’s property of distribution poles making it easy for the utility to install, monitor and manage. The meter is ready to be rolled out in India and is ideal for
locations where meter reading is difficult, lower access to meters, high theft-prone locations etc.

References

1. Product catalogue and datasheet of Akanksha Power & Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.