Bescom forms panel on smart meters project for city

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (Bescom) has constituted a five-member expert committee to study the implications of its smart meter project, which it plans to launch by the end of this financial year.

The committee, headed by former vice chancellor of Visveswaraya Technological University H P Khincha, will look into aspects like its implementation and the cost involved. Smart meters cost Rs 10,000 each, compared to static meters, which cost Rs 600 each.

With smart meters, Bescom is gradually moving towards ensuring there is less human interface and quality power. Through smart meters, readings are monitored by the central grid and the bill is auto-generated to the consumer.

 Bescom is also gathering details from Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Ltd (CESC Mysuru), which is conducting a pilot study by installing 30,000 smart meters in Mysuru city.

Pilot studies are being conducted in different parts of the country but smart meters have not been installed anywhere, Bescom managing director Rajendra Cholan told DH.

“We are also preparing a blueprint on how to introduce it. We are trying to understand the financial implications and whether to pass on the financial burden of smart meters to consumers,” he said. Bescom is seeking guidance from the regulatory commission on this as the department plans to introduce it to at least 60,000 consumers.

Cholan said the Indian Smart Grid Forum has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Power and they have a road map for smart meters, which the Bescom is studying.

For Bescom, after launching pre-paid meters, smart meters will be the next step towards saving power and going digital. Bescom has installed 70,000 pre-paid meters for all temporary connections and those using power for public services like pumping water, illuminating street lights and users consuming more than 200 units.