Intelligent Power Theft Detection Model for Prepaid Energy Metering In Nigeria

B. O. Omijeh; G. I. Ighalo; F. I. Anyasi

The Nigerian Power Sector has been suffering from huge revenue loss due to power theft. In recent years, the Power Utility Company of Nigeria known as the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has deployed different metering technologies to battle this setback. Prepaid meters with prepaid card and smart card have been recently introduced in some locations in Benin City, Port Harcourt , Lagos state etc. Still the problem of “tampering and bypass” which are the major types of power theft have been left without solutions. In this paper, an Intelligent Power theft detection system (IPTDS) with instantaneous SMS alert is proposed. The set up contains an Intelligent Statistical Meter(ISM) placed at the transformer end or on Electric High Pole. It communicates with the various consumer’ meters linked with it through RF and GSM technologies. It monitors and continuously sums up the total energy consumption measurements from various consumers’ meters in a designated region; and sets it as a reference value. Whenever this reference value is exceeded, an unmetered (illegal) load or power theft is detected. An SMS alert is triggered and sent to the Utility Company for necessary action. The algorithm for this proposed power theft detection has been developed; and the entire idea has been modeled and simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. Results obtained are very satisfactory. When fully implemented by the PHCN, power theft will be greatly reduced and revenue collection will greatly increase.

Select Volume / Issues:

• Volume 3 Issue 6, Nov. 2012

Year:

2012

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

Power Theft; Intelligent Statistical Meter ISM; Intelligent Prepaid Energy Meter IPEM; SMS; Non Technical Losses NTL

Journal:

IJECCE

Volume:

3

Number:

6

Pages:

1574-1579

Month:

November