Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Friday 19 May 2017

A Pre-paid Electricity Meter ?



In an interview with Economic Times ( 15 May ) , Minister for Power / Renewable Energy , Shri Piyush Goyalji says :
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“ UPA has been a sad example as during its tenure , people used to receive high power bills all of a sudden .


In some cases, the poor will not receive bills for months together and one day , he will receive a bill for last two years


Then he is harassed to pay up


We are talking to all the States that they have to ensure monthly bills , so people don’t get a shock


If there is a default, then action can be taken on a monthly due amount  “





As compared to those old days , of course , things are much better now



In case of many DISCOMS , people can make an Online Payment from their web sites


I believe , some of these DISCOMS have even launched their own AEPS mobile wallets / apps , using which , power consumers can make payments against their monthly bills


But , how about a Prepaid Electricity Meter , with following features / functionality ?


·         It will be a Tablet look-alike device
·          
·         It will show daily – weekly – monthly , power consumption of the premises
·          
·         It will show the “ average / highest / lowest “ monthly consumption
·          
·         It will also show how many UNITS remain to his BALANCE , at any given time
·          
·         It will show a GRAPH comparing consumptions during any two “ periods “
·          
·         It will have facility to enter ( type in ) , customer’s Aadhar Number ( of course, linked to his Bank Account Number )
·          
·         After login ( using biometric identification of Finger + Iris + Voice ) , customer can “ Re-charge “ his “ Account “ with ( say ) , Rs 1,000 / - at the beginning, using the built-in Virtual Keyboard ( Device will have built-in camera )
·          
·         When the “ balance “ to his credit falls to ( say ) Rs 100 / - , an alarm will ring and he will also get Email / SMS / WhatsApp reminder
·          
·         If he fails to “ Re-Charge “ his account , power will get disconnected upon the balance falling to Rs 10/-  !
·          
·         Power will start flowing again as soon as consumer “ re-charges “ through device




None of this ( hardware + software + wireless telecom ) , is a Rocket Science !


Any Start Up can come up with such a total , end-to-end , solution within 6 months !


Only thing , this device cannot stop is UN-METERED THEFT of power , where wires get pulled from a power-line , bypassing the meter !


Other than this one limitation , this suggestion has the potential to dramatically improve the Financial Positions of the State DISCOMS !


Dear Shri Goyalji ,


Would you like to pose this challenge to our Start Ups ?


19  May  2017


www.hemenparekh.in / blogs  

1 comment:

  1. Distribution companies (Discoms) are providing electricity to almost eveyone. However the electricity theft is increasing. Prepaid Meters could be the answer of this problem.

    ReplyDelete