Smart solutions for Smart Indore — going high-tech, discom has set up its first control center for live feed and monitoring of smart meters.
The meaning of DISCOM is “Distribution Company (In India)”, Meaning companies are not generating electricity themselves, rather purchasing it from someone else and just supplying to the final consumers.
Discom had introduced smart meters for domestic connections in Indore in 2017; the inauguration of which was done on Tuesday. The estimated cost of this master control and command centre, which has been set up at discom’s meter testing building is Rs45 lakh.
Managing director of Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited (MPPKVVCL) Vikas Narwal stated that how the master control and command centre would allow them to monitor and manage remote disconnection and re-connection 24×7.
For smooth functioning, protocol of three shifts have been made in which 20 employees including 10 engineers have been appointed to work.
It is worth noting that these metering systems have helped curb power theft and line loss related cases to a great extent. A total recovery cases amounting to Rs 50 crores have come to light. Other than this, smart meter comes with series of benefits including real time consumption data, remote disconnection and re-connection.
Under Indore City Circle, as many as 1.10 lakh smart meters have been installed in domestic connections with this facility. The live feed and consumption records of each one of these smart meters at the centre will be monitored round the clock.
After Indore, there are plans to replace around 3.5 lakh conventional meters in Mhow, Dewas, Ujjain, Ratlam, and Khargone with smart meters.
Officials have stated that apart from power loss that occurred due to tampering with meters or illegal tapping, use of smart meters has also helped them increase their billing efficiency by 10 per cent.
(with inputs from a leading media channel in the city)