Smart metering combined with AI and ML will reduce power loss and theft

To detect theft situations, smart meter data would be analysed using artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The main cause of line losses in electrical networks is ohmic (heat) loss. Illegal energy connections and power theft result in economic losses that have an impact on the financial stability of the distribution companies and have knock-on effects like poor power quality. One of the most important measures of DISCOM’s performance, which takes into account the effects of power theft, is the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) loss.

Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) Losses of Distribution Utilities during FY 2016–17 to FY 2020–21 are: FY 2016–17: 23.72; FY 2017–18: 21.53; FY 2018–19: 21.64; FY 2019–20: 20.73; FY 2020–21: 22.32; FY 2021–22: 17.

One of the many causes of AT&C losses for the power distribution utilities is the theft of electricity. It is the primary duty of each distribution utility to take reasonable action to prevent power theft. Nonetheless, by providing financing for the goal under various schemes introduced from time to time, the Indian government supports the efforts of the states and distribution utilities. Prepaid smart meters, including system metering, are crucial interventions under the RDSS since they allow for audits without the need for human interaction as well as autonomous monitoring of energy flows and accounting.

System metering at the feeder and distribution transformer level with a communicating feature would also be implemented in addition to the installation of prepaid smart metering and the related Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to enable proper energy accounting each month for the identification of defaulting consumers, pockets that are prone to theft, and high loss areas. In accordance with the plan, cutting-edge ICT such as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) would be used to analyse data generated by smart meters to detect theft cases and prepare actionable MIS from system-generated energy accounting reports to enable the DISCOMs to make informed decisions about power theft as well as loss reduction.

In accordance with the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Indian government has decided to privatise the distribution operations of the power departments and utilities in the union territories. This is a significant policy choice made by the government with the goals of better serving customers and increasing the operational and financial efficiency of the distribution sector, which is currently affected by inefficiencies.

The Electricity Act of 2003 (Sections 126 and 135 to 140) contains special regulations relating to theft and unauthorised use of energy, including harsh penalties and quick trials for such offenses by Special Courts (Part XV of the Electricity Act, 2003). The distribution licensee must make arrangements to post feeder-by-feeder outage data, efforts made to minimise outages, prevention of theft or unauthorised use of electricity or tampering, distress or damage to electrical plant, electric lines, or meters, and results obtained throughout the year on its website in accordance with the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020.