MicroSync Suite- An introduction powered by Indriya Technologies

Achievements Successful implementation of Prepaid AMR Metering system on pilot basis with Kerala State Electricity Board at various Government Departments. Successful implementation of TOD AMR meters at various locations in Mumbai with BEST on pilot basis. Successful completion of Field Tests at Hubli Electricity Supply Company. Successful implementation of conversion of Bulk water meters into AMR meters with loads of features in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Successful testing of meters( Load test ) with METLABS, USA for ANSI certification Successful testing of meters with Central Electricity Supply Utility, Orissa including field testing of meters at substations Extensive field testing of all types of meters- Single phase, Three Phase, CT Meters, Prepaid meters Convertors for converting existing digital meters into AMR meters recently launched. Ideally suited for all types of meters.

Goal- Partnering with Electrical Utilities to provide solution which is Transparent Cost Effective Helpful in reducing losses both in terms of transmission losses and cost of operation Reduce consumer grievance Improving efficiency in generation, transmission and distribution And How is it achieved

Understanding the Current Scenario By Understanding the problems faced by Utilities – The approach is to start from understanding problems faced by Utilities and then build up a technology which will encompass solutions to most of the problems and give a very comprehensive solution which will be Robust Futuristic Dynamic Adaptable and Integratable

Solution A solution which is very easy to implement Is cost effective in the long run Operational ease detects and reports on real time basis any event related to power usage Ultimately reduces losses A solution which is very easy to implement Is cost effective in the long run Operational ease detects and reports on real time basis any event related to power usage Ultimately reduces losses Conservation is a simple idea, the logic is straight forward and effective.

Advantages- Hardware Number of hardware integration minimal- MicroSync Suite consists of just a meter and the server located at central control system of the Utility. Other AMR solutions require a meter, a HHU, a Console for downloading the files from HHU, a server for sending data from console to the server etc etc. In other words MicroSync Suite removes hardware intermediaries from the process. MicroSync Suite provides ideal system for large scale Smart Grid implementation as it eliminates other hardware integration like cables and ducts, setting up SCADA based data collection.

Advantage- Hardware Built in system- The meter comes with inbuilt GSM/GPRS module, relays for activation and deactivation. The modular design allows integrating external contactors for connected loads above 100A. In other words very compact and simple in design. Additional cost on hardware and manpower to manually operate modem is completely eliminated. This in effect reduces cost of hardware and also maintenance cost over long periods thus reducing operational cost as well.

Advantage- Hardware Single communication protocol- MicroSync Suite uses GSM/GPRS network right across the communication channel from the meter direct to the server and the communication is one to one, not limited by distance between the meter and the server. Other AMR solutions have various combinations of communication protocols like RS 232 port for data collection from meter to HHU, then HHU to console through cable. From Console to server either via GPRS/ GSM. In AMR systems where the communication is through concentrators or aggregators, the communication between meter and the concentrator is through RF/ WI-FI/ LAN and from concentrators to server via GPRS thus involving multi communication protocols.

Advantage- Hardware No communication licensing required- MicroSync Suite uses open protocol commonly deployed by the GSM network provider and uses SMS format for data transmission. Alternately PLC also provided as solution where the consumer size is limited by distance thereby reducing operational cost on long term

Advantage - Hardware Data security- In MicroSync Suite individual meter independently transmits data to the server and similarly all the control and monitoring commands are directly transmitted from the server to the concerned meter. This system ensures faster delivery of data, non congestion of data transmission, limiting risk of data loss and data hacking. The data is first encrypted at meter level before the data is transmitted. Further since data from each meter is separately sent hacking data over a region will be extremely difficult. Data security- In MicroSync Suite individual meter independently transmits data to the server and similarly all the control and monitoring commands are directly transmitted from the server to the concerned meter. This system ensures faster delivery of data, non congestion of data transmission, limiting risk of data loss and data hacking. The data is first encrypted at meter level before the data is transmitted. Further since data from each meter is separately sent hacking data over a region will be extremely difficult.

Advantage- Hardware Faster implementation- The meter self registers as soon as it is installed. The meter installation process is as simple as just replacing the old meter with MicroSync Suite. The meter self logs on to the server and from then on data is uploaded on to the Meter ID at the server end. Other AMR systems require a detailed topology study for gathering information on location of the meter, the distance of the meter, placement of RS port for extracting data outside from the consumers residence, distance of HHU to the meter etc etc. Faster implementation- The meter self registers as soon as it is installed. The meter installation process is as simple as just replacing the old meter with MicroSync Suite. The meter self logs on to the server and from then on data is uploaded on to the Meter ID at the server end. Other AMR systems require a detailed topology study for gathering information on location of the meter, the distance of the meter, placement of RS port for extracting data outside from the consumers residence, distance of HHU to the meter etc etc.

Advantage- Operations No more manual intervention- MicroSync Suite truly justifies the meaning of AMR. The whole idea of introduction of AMR was to eliminate manual intervention. MicroSync Suite eliminates manual intervention in totality. Since the data and other event messages are transferred directly between meter and server and vice versa on any scheduled time, the data is received on virtually a real time basis. All the process relating to data updation, data management for billing and control is also done automatically. In other AMR systems where the data is collected through HHU ‘s there is still a requirement for a data collector and the data is collected only at the end of the billing cycle No more manual intervention- MicroSync Suite truly justifies the meaning of AMR. The whole idea of introduction of AMR was to eliminate manual intervention. MicroSync Suite eliminates manual intervention in totality. Since the data and other event messages are transferred directly between meter and server and vice versa on any scheduled time, the data is received on virtually a real time basis. All the process relating to data updation, data management for billing and control is also done automatically. In other AMR systems where the data is collected through HHU ‘s there is still a requirement for a data collector and the data is collected only at the end of the billing cycle

Advantage- Operations Manipulation of data is eliminated- Since the data is directly received at the server, the chances of data manipulation is eliminated completely. If the data is not received at scheduled time slot, the server automatically flags the meter and the concerned maintenance staff is alerted for possible meter fault. Any unusual usage is also reported based on a consumer’s historical consumption pattern. An ideal system for macro level power audit for a region where consumer profiling and load controllers can be introduced for better power management Manipulation of data is eliminated- Since the data is directly received at the server, the chances of data manipulation is eliminated completely. If the data is not received at scheduled time slot, the server automatically flags the meter and the concerned maintenance staff is alerted for possible meter fault. Any unusual usage is also reported based on a consumer’s historical consumption pattern. An ideal system for macro level power audit for a region where consumer profiling and load controllers can be introduced for better power management

Advantage- Operations Any damage or tampering of meter is known immediately. Corrective action helps avoiding huge unbilled power usage during fault period. Comparison of data of one consumer with other meter data helps in analyzing whether the meter is tampered with. Immediate action can be initiated. This is especially useful in scenarios where the meter is by-passed. Real time auditing helps in identifying possible meter by-pass. Historical data will help analyse a consumer’s consumption pattern. This helps in fixing thresholds and any undue usage can easily be tapped. The system is particularly helpful during peak hours when the consumption is maximum. Introduction of load controllers based on load profiles of each consumer is now possible with MicroSync Suite. By default Trivector parameters are made available at the server. This helps in tapping system losses especially in cases where the PF is very low which results in power loss which are generally not billed to a consumer. Real time report of the comparison is available between connected load and the actual power consumption. Any damage or tampering of meter is known immediately. Corrective action helps avoiding huge unbilled power usage during fault period. Comparison of data of one consumer with other meter data helps in analyzing whether the meter is tampered with. Immediate action can be initiated. This is especially useful in scenarios where the meter is by-passed. Real time auditing helps in identifying possible meter by-pass. Historical data will help analyse a consumer’s consumption pattern. This helps in fixing thresholds and any undue usage can easily be tapped. The system is particularly helpful during peak hours when the consumption is maximum. Introduction of load controllers based on load profiles of each consumer is now possible with MicroSync Suite. By default Trivector parameters are made available at the server. This helps in tapping system losses especially in cases where the PF is very low which results in power loss which are generally not billed to a consumer. Real time report of the comparison is available between connected load and the actual power consumption. Real time data – MicroSync Suite helps in accessing data on a virtually real time basis. The time slot can be even fixed to say every 15 minutes to send the data unlike the present system or even the present AMR solutions where the meter data is made available only when the person visits consumer locations to collect the data. The advantage from this system is enormous for eg.

Advantage- Operations Remote disconnection/ reconnection of individual consumer- Unlike other AMR solutions, MicroSync Suite comes with a inbuilt device which helps a Utility to switch off power / reconnect the power remotely. MicroSync Suite also helps in introducing load controllers. The Utility will be able to help in limiting the usage during peak hours by defining threshold and as soon as the threshold is reached, the system will automatically switch off the power partially from the server itself thereby helping the Utility to maintain power at adequate level and avoid power outages.

Advantage- Operations Default Postpaid / prepaid meters- The Utility can opt for converting any particular consumer from post paid consumer to prepaid consumer without actually changing the meter. Based on the consumption pattern and on consumer’s request, the meter can be converted into prepaid from postpaid and vice versa. A very simple process. No need for complicated procedure. Buy card from any grocery, SMS the 20 digit security code from registered mobile and the server will automatically credit the units purchased. Simple and fast.

Frontend display of details at the central server- A snapshot On line Data available Master record of all meters on a single screen Faulty meters or meters with tampered condition flagged in red for immediate action by concerned staff Complete records of each consumer displayed on the screen

Snapshot- Contd Analytical details of each consumer made available Each consumer’s consumption pattern can be drawn. This will help in drawing load profile of the consumer and thresholds can then be drawn

Snapshot – Contd TOD details for introducing TOD based differential tariff rates Detailed Tri-vector parameters Power failure alerts to monitor genuine power failures or tampering events

Key finding- An Analysis Meter IDKWHKVARHKVAHPFLoss in unitsLoss in value (3-1)6 ( 5 * Rs. 4/-) , , , , , , Total loss for one month 28, Key finding of the field trial Measurement and reporting of reactive and apparent power. The resultant difference between KVAH and KWH determined the actual loss which went unmeasured at one of the field trials with a Utility.