Residents of north Delhi can now keep a tab on power bill

AFTER THE ₹100CRORE PROJECT GOES LIVE, A MESSAGE WILL BE SENT TO CONSUMERS ABOUT THE DURATION OF LOADSHEDDING

NEW DELHI: Tata Power consumers in north Delhi will soon be able to keep a tab on their daily consumption as the discom is working on a ₹100-crore project to introduce smart grid technology.

A smart grid will help monitor the entire power infrastructure system online. Real-time data of consumption pattern will be monitored from a control centre. Consumers can also log on to a web portal to check their consumption pattern. When there is a shortage of power, a message will be sent to consumers about the duration of load-shedding, a Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited official said.

This technology will also help the discom know in which zone there is a problem, what exact fault has taken place, reasons for technical fault in transmission line and even information on what is the actual equipment which has failed causing an outage, a power expert said.

Tata Power CEO and managing-director Praveer Sinha said by using the app, consumers can get all details regarding their power connection. We are planning to cover 2.5 lakh consumers by April 2018 under the project, which will be rolled out early next year,” Sinha said.

The discom is also eyeing Time of Day metering (TOD), which involves dividing the day, month and year into tariff slots and with higher rates at peak load periods and low tariff rates at off-peak load periods.

“We are working on technology through which consumers will be able to control power consumption through smart metering. For example, if a consumer wants to run washing machine during off-peak hours or if they wants to use appliances during a specific period of time, they will have the option,” he said.

The TPDDL has a consumer base of 15.5 lakh, which includes consumers in the commercial category. The immediate plan of the company is to cover 7.5 lakh consumers under the project.

“We are going to invest over ₹100 crore in modernising the communication network. Already a global tender has been floated ,” the official said.