CBU student invents anti-vandalism app
A COPPERBELT University (CBU) student has invented an anti-vandalism/damage app that can be used by power utility and telecommunication companies to alert them instantly when there is a break at vital points in their system.
It also sends a global positioning system (GPS) location to determine the precise site of the break.
Amadou Kaoma says the economic benefits of his project includes reduction in the interruption of power supply to customers, saving of revenue by the utility companies due to reduction in vandalism, and timely response in a case where there is possible vandalism on electrical equipment like transformers and electrical cables.
Kaoma, a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering final year student, was motivated to invent this project by the vandalism that has confronted utility companies like Zesco.
“I was motivated because I used to face a lot of power supply interruptions caused by vandalism in my neighbourhood, and mainly because I really enjoy and I am always curious when it comes to electrical and electronics engineering,” Kaoma says
Some of the skills that he possesses are designing and implementing of industrial motor starter control panels and basic automotive repairs.
“I worked with two of my colleagues, Abigail Lizu Lubayand spearheaded the project, under the guidance of Dr Musa Ndiaye, a CBU lecturer, Kaoma says.
He says he just had an interest in bringing out the ideas he imagined to real life to address one of the challenges that utility companies face.
If this project was adopted and funded by Zesco or the Copperbelt Energy Corporation to smoothen their creases and well implemented, there would be no need for reporting power failure via the app or USSD.
Utility firms would immediately know when power is out, and where the actual problem is located, thus solving 21st century problems using 21st century solutions, require advanced technologies like this invention.