Smart Metering to Transform Power Sector: RK Singh

Smart metering facilitates two-way communication, enabling utilities to enhance load forecasting, optimize power procurement, and ultimately reduce the cost of power supply.

December 16, 2023. By Abha Rustagi

Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister, R.K. Singh, highlighted the transformative impact of smart metering in reducing the cost of power supply and enhancing operational efficiency in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) guidelines mandate the roll-out of smart meters through Public Private Partnership (PPP) on a total expenditure (TOTEX) mode, making it self-financing for DISCOMS.

Under the TOTEX mode, DISCOMS won't bear upfront capital expenditure costs, and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider (AMISP) will handle the operation, maintenance, and supply of smart metering infrastructure. The payment to AMISP will be phased over the operation and maintenance period, ensuring end-to-end responsibility for project delivery.

Prepaid smart metering for consumers and system metering at the feeder and distribution transformer level, along with associated Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), will be implemented to automate energy accounting and auditing. The project prioritizes prepaid smart metering for government departments to enhance energy accounting and timely collection of dues.

Smart metering facilitates two-way communication, enabling utilities to enhance load forecasting, optimize power procurement, and ultimately reduce the cost of power supply. This, in turn, directly impacts the Aggregate Cost of Supply to Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ACS-ARR) gap and Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, benefiting end consumers.

Additionally, smart meters capture consumption patterns, providing real-time information to consumers for better electricity usage planning.

The Government of Kerala has proposed an alternate model for smart meter implementation, under review by the Ministry, emphasizing the collaborative approach towards comprehensive scheme examination.

Tags:

Policies & Regulations

Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy

Power supply

Power demand

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme

RDSS