Hotline of power engineering specialists:
IDGC of Centre continues implementation of a large-scale project to create and expand in the regions of its activity (11 subjects of the Central Federal District) automated (intelligent) systems for electricity metering at the retail market. The project has been implemented since 2011, within the framework of the target program adopted by the company. During this period, 228 thousand automated meters were installed in the branches of IDGC of Centre, accounting for 7.1% of the total number of meters.
Modernization of the system of commercial electricity metering is stipulated by the state program "Energy Efficiency and Energy Development". It provides for the replacement of metering devices that do not meet modern requirements for smart electricity meters and more than double their share in the total number of meters (up to 12.2% by 2020) in the whole for the power grid complex of the Russian Federation.
The implementation of new high-precision and highly reliable equipment as part of the creation of an intellectual metering system is aimed at increasing the efficiency of electricity transmission activities, reducing the cost of purchasing electricity to compensate for losses, organizing effective control of energy consumption, and reducing operating costs for meter reading. The use of modern electricity metering systems is one of the most effective methods of combating theft of electricity. Smart meters are installed on the border of the balance participation, which makes it possible to conduct unauthorized access to the meters without visiting users during raids and reconciling readings. Compared to traditional meters, they allow to obtain more accurate and complete billing data.
"Smart" meters are equipped primarily in those areas where the problem of illegal electricity consumption is particularly acute. Devices of the new generation practically exclude unauthorized use of electricity and provide reliable information on the amount of energy consumed.
There are obvious advantages from the use of intelligent electricity metering devices and for consumers. Unlike conventional meters, they are more convenient to use: in particular, due to the capability to "remember" information from past periods, they allow consumers to accurately plan power consumption. Since the beginning of this year, the company has already installed 1,242 automated meters - the work was carried out in the Lipetsk region. In total, 31.8 thousand meters are planned for the year. The largest share of this amount (22.8% and 17.8%), according to plans, will be at the branches of Belgorodenergo and Yarenergo, respectively.
