{"id":114938,"date":"2021-06-26T11:22:14","date_gmt":"2021-06-26T05:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=114938"},"modified":"2021-06-26T11:22:14","modified_gmt":"2021-06-26T05:52:14","slug":"smart-metering-program-shouldnt-be-implemented-in-haste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/smart-metering-program-shouldnt-be-implemented-in-haste\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Metering Program shouldn\u2019t be implemented in Haste"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Relevance<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0Inefficient\u00a0discoms\u00a0have been a critical problem for India\u2019s power sector\u00a0since long.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Synopsis<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0Smart meters have the power to improve the revenue recovery rate of\u00a0discoms\u00a0and ensure better electricity services to the consumer. But such outcomes can be expected only if our roll-out program are executed well and not in haste.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Background<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"19\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"29\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Announced in Union Budget 2020 \u201321, smart metering of electricity consumption is one key measure being adopted by India to alleviate the financial distress of electricity distribution companies (<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">discoms<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About Smart Metering<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"30\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A smart meter is an electronic device that records information such as consumption of electric energy, voltage levels, current, and power factor.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"31\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Smart meters communicate the information to the consumer for greater clarity of consumption behavior, and electricity suppliers for system monitoring and customer billing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Need for smart metering<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"21\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"32\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">They are expected to significantly improve metering and billing efficiencies, and in turn, increase\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">discom\u00a0revenues<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"21\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"33\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The revenue gaps of\u00a0discoms\u00a0have been increasing and were exacerbated by the pandemic. Further their dues to power generators have been piling up\u00a0and are now estimated\u00a0at around \u20b970,000 crore.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"21\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"34\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Thus, significant investment in smart meters is being proposed by the Centre. A large-scale roll-out is justified on expectations of a vast improvement in payment collection efficiency.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">However crucial issues need to be addressed before state\u00a0electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs) approve state-wise roll-outs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Issues with Smart Metering<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"22\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"35\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">First<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0there seems to be\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">discrepancies within data sets<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0of\u00a0the National Smart Metering Program (NSMP) and state\u00a0discoms.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"22\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"36\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Second<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">not much information is available in the public domain<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0on other aspects of the roll-out of these programs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"22\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"37\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Third<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">consumer trust<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0over smart meters is\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">declining<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">. In UP, on 12 August 2020, about 160,000 smart-metered consumers faced automatic disconnection of supply as a result of system faults.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"22\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"38\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fourth<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">data privacy is another issue.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Smart meter data can reveal sensitive information that is\u00a0analyzed\u00a0from electricity usage patterns.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Way Forward<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"23\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"39\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The focus should be on creating a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">transparent, accountable and participatory mechanism\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">to ensure that the full benefits of such large-scale investments are indeed obtained.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"23\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"40\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">We need a consumer- centric approach.\u00a0The\u00a0discoms\u00a0should invest in engaging consumers to generate trust in these new systems.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"23\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"41\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The ministry of power should evolve a framework for handling smart meter data and finalize it in consultation with stakeholders.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"23\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"13\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Regulators should put in place a set of provisions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0that cover various aspects of data-sharing protocols, purposes, grievance redressal, security, etc.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"23\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"14\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Discoms\u00a0should appoint data protection officers<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to ensure requisite consumer privacy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Read more<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"50\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"42\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/problems-with-discoms-need-radical-reforms\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Problems with\u00a0discoms\u00a0need radical reforms<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.livemint.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=256404c554d&amp;imageview=0\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Livemint<\/span><\/b><\/a><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Relevance:\u00a0Inefficient\u00a0discoms\u00a0have been a critical problem for India\u2019s power sector\u00a0since long.\u00a0\u00a0 Synopsis:\u00a0Smart meters have the power to improve the revenue recovery rate of\u00a0discoms\u00a0and ensure better electricity services to the consumer. But such outcomes can be expected only if our roll-out program are executed well and not in haste.\u00a0 Background:\u00a0 Announced in Union Budget 2020 \u201321, smart&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/smart-metering-program-shouldnt-be-implemented-in-haste\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Smart Metering Program shouldn\u2019t be implemented in Haste<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,9],"tags":[4449,4450,8250],"class_list":["post-114938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","category-public","tag-discoms","tag-power-sector","tag-smart-meter","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114938"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114938\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}