CWG Offers Smart Grid, Metering Solution

Computer Warehouse Group ( CWG) has come up with an effective smart grid and metering solution, which completely solves the problems that results from power theft, inadequate planning, measurement of units of distribution that is transmitted to consumers, and also resolves inefficiency that has led to high aggregate technical and commercial losses.

Mr. James Agada, chief technology officer, CWG, who made a presentation on the solution at the recent West Africa Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), said the solution is unique for the distribution companies (Discos), and is suitable for the Nigerian environment where power theft occurs as it serves as detectors for any illegal connection.

It is placed on top of poles and measures the level of power transmission from one location to another, the units that goes out and comes in, and that this helps in proper planning for any environment.

He said metering and billing are the least efficiently executed tasks in the country’s power distribution sector, because it is the source of revenue for the Discos, and this has resulted to high aggregate technical and commercial losses estimated between 48-50 percent.

According to him, the solution offered by CWG would completely solve these problems and guarantees efficient assessment of power distribution.

“At intervals of about 30 seconds or so, it measures the power that is being consumed along the distribution line from the transformer to the poles and to consumers on a continuous basis. It knows the total power that came in and went out, so it there is an illegal connection without a meter, it would know within two minutes and raises an alarm. It has a full profile of customers unit and knows at which time you have thick and little power. It can also disconnect without anybody coming from the utility company, “he said.

Agada explained that what CWG PLC offers is compared to none, and the solution is such that cannot be bypassed like in the case in smart meters.

“We are yet to see anybody in the Nigerian market that does what we do, and since the distribution companies do not know how much power is consumed, it is difficult to plan for proper distribution, differentiate residential from industrial areas, ensures proper planning, and where to place transformers.

The Solution is being deployed in several places in India, and CWG has dealings with all the distribution companies since they have the same problem.

Agada explained that in New Delhi, India, there is a project currently being executed where more than 10,000 people are connected with the solution and being driven by TATA.