The Embedded Technology is an electric
meter utilizing a prepaid "smartcard" for
application in areas using a high percentage of solar
generation for production of electricity for retail
consumption. The unique properties of the technology
allow it to monitor and control how customers use electricity.
The concept of prepaid smart cards
in India was developed at the Embedded Systems Lab,
part of the at the Central Mechanical Research Institute
(CMERI), and the technology which is the subject of
this report was developed by Joydeb Roy Chowdhury, Scientist
and Head of the Embedded Systems Lab. The technology
was developed to address the issues specific to establishing
and providing electric service to areas geographically
isolated from a large, well established electric "grid".
The concept was subsequently championed by S.P. Gon
Chowdhury, the Director of the West Bengal Renewable
Energy Agency, whose organization funded further development
of the technology for field application.
Potential Benefits of The Technology
Metering- the smart card eliminates
the need for meter reading, the costs of meter readers
or two way metering, or the need for customer reported
meter reading.
Multiple customers could use a
shared meter at different times because the card can
be used in any meter.
Eliminates the need for disconnects/re-connects
and accompanying monetary costs and bad will on behalf
of the customer.
Power quality- the meter has the
potential to enhance system power quality by controlling
customer usage by time of day to match the generation
profile for the mini-grid. The utility can track sales
of the cards and have an absolute figure for potential
load, allowing for better planning for generation
capacity throughout the day.
The meter also allows the customer
to see how much electricity they have left, allowing
them to better monitor and regulate consumption.
Source:
Mr. Joydeb Roy Chowdhury,
Scientist & Head, Embedded Systems Lab,
Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute
Email: jrc@cmeri.res.in
