In previous Unit , we have presented an overview of the electricity distribution business and discussed the need for Information Technology (IT) based interventions in the business. You have studied about the potential IT applications in the distribution business as well as the change management required in the utilities for effective use of IT. You have also learnt that IT is crucial for the
efficient operation and management of all the power utilities, which need to handle a large amount of information for their efficient operation. At the same time, the opening and restructuring of the Indian power sector have changed the perception of the power utility managers in the way they have been doing business till now. The entire gamut of the operation in power sector will be revolving around better availability of quality power and efficient management of energy while maintaining the eco-friendliness all along. IT applications are being carried out by various utilities, to varying degrees in the areas of billing and collection, consumer service, network management and financial management.
Actually, utilities and power companies have been leveraging IT for obtaining significant benefits. Much of the information used for this purpose is distributed over vast geographical domains and is to be acquired, transported, processed and presented in real time. One is now forced to think seriously in terms of increasing efficiency by increasing plant load factor (PLF), reducing T&D
losses, minimizing power theft and increasing service quality without increasing the manpower requirement to remain competitive in the open market. This will require not only the modernization of equipment, but also better planning, supervision, monitoring and control of all activities related to power generation, transmission and distribution and commercial operations.A “full” IT system should enable the utilities to remotely monitor, control and coordinate all distribution components in real time. It should allow the utilities to monitor on a micro level every kWh across the distribution system and control it. For the sake of discussion, we may broadly classify the IT applications into five broad areas as under:
• Metering, Data Acquisition and Management,
• Consumer Indexing and GIS,
• Asset Management,
• Financial Management, and
• Customer Services.
In this unit, we acquaint you with some applications of IT in network management such as metering, data acquisition and management. We also discuss IT applications in asset management and financial management. In the next unit, we discuss other aspects of network management, such as GIS solutions, e.g., in consumer indexing.
efficient operation and management of all the power utilities, which need to handle a large amount of information for their efficient operation. At the same time, the opening and restructuring of the Indian power sector have changed the perception of the power utility managers in the way they have been doing business till now. The entire gamut of the operation in power sector will be revolving around better availability of quality power and efficient management of energy while maintaining the eco-friendliness all along. IT applications are being carried out by various utilities, to varying degrees in the areas of billing and collection, consumer service, network management and financial management.
Actually, utilities and power companies have been leveraging IT for obtaining significant benefits. Much of the information used for this purpose is distributed over vast geographical domains and is to be acquired, transported, processed and presented in real time. One is now forced to think seriously in terms of increasing efficiency by increasing plant load factor (PLF), reducing T&D
losses, minimizing power theft and increasing service quality without increasing the manpower requirement to remain competitive in the open market. This will require not only the modernization of equipment, but also better planning, supervision, monitoring and control of all activities related to power generation, transmission and distribution and commercial operations.A “full” IT system should enable the utilities to remotely monitor, control and coordinate all distribution components in real time. It should allow the utilities to monitor on a micro level every kWh across the distribution system and control it. For the sake of discussion, we may broadly classify the IT applications into five broad areas as under:
• Metering, Data Acquisition and Management,
• Consumer Indexing and GIS,
• Asset Management,
• Financial Management, and
• Customer Services.
In this unit, we acquaint you with some applications of IT in network management such as metering, data acquisition and management. We also discuss IT applications in asset management and financial management. In the next unit, we discuss other aspects of network management, such as GIS solutions, e.g., in consumer indexing.
This overview underscores the transformative role of IT in power utilities, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer service. Time tracking Softwarecould optimize efficiency, aligning with the sector's focus on quality power, energy management, and eco-friendliness.
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