PREPAYMENT METERING
IN RURAL UAE AREAS
Prof. Dr. E. El-Shirbeeny
Electric Power Research Laboratory
Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority
ADWEA
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IN THIS PAPER
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National Overview
Drivers
Technology & Barriers
Pilot Scheme
Future Developments
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Abu Dhabi
Emirate
?
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DISTRIBUTION REGIONS IN ABU DHABI
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ADWEA
GENERATION
TRANSMISSION
DISTRIBUTION
TAW
ADDC
UmNar
TRANSCO
AADC
Bainounah
MRF
ADWEC
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ADWEA SYSTEM
One Million Customers
67,340 Km2 Area
12% An. L. G. Rate
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LOCAL CONDITIONS
Maximum ambient temperature: 50 degC
Humidity could reach 100%
LV AC operating voltage 415 V
Farms are scattered on wide desert areas
Difficult transport and access
High callout costs
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TYPICAL RURAL LOADS
F AR M S
w ith
wa te r n e two rk
wa te r we lls
g re e n h o u se s
7 kW
0 .9 0 p f
6 0 kW
0 .8 5 p f
3 2 0 kW
0 .7 9 p f
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METER FOR SMALL FARM
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METER IN FARM WORKER HOUSE
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METER FOR WATER PUMP LOADS
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METER FOR FARM WITH WATER NET
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METER WITH CT’s At GREENHOUSE FARM
Metering Current Transformer box
Meter and supply panels
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REVENUE MANAGEMENT
PROBLEMS
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Delays in payment due to customer apathy
Social values and difficulty in disconnecting
High rate of debt accumulation
Use of old inaccurate meters
Difficult meter reading
Illegal reconnections
Unmetered supply
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WHY PREPAY METERS
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Cut down bad debts
Protect revenue
Reduce operating costs
Simplify sales operations
Higher metering accuracy
Encourage energy saving
Enhance customer services
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AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES
 Coin operated
 Token
 Key
 Smart card
 Keypad
ONLINE
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SUPPORTING SYSTEMS
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Vending/Payment Terminals
Billing System
Databases
Operating Platforms
Communication Networks
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SELECTION CRITERIA
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Minimum customer interaction
Simplicity and ease of installation
Maximum utilization of available facilities
Efficiency
Reliability
Minimum maintenance
Scalability
Security
Cost
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SECURITY MEASURES
1. No access for Unauthorized party
2. Alternative means in case of system failure
3. Concurrent operation with a redundant system
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CHALLENGES
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Prepayment is not “off-the-shelf” technology
Prepayment = shift in mind of service provider
Community acceptance
Modification cost of metering & billing system
Need of strong technical support and training
Reliable communications and IT systems
Harsh local operating environment
Higher farm loads
Extra protection
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PILOT SYSTEM <online payment>
Payment
Terminal
Payment
Terminal
Customer
DB
Control
Center
Billing
System
Data
Concentrator
Data
Concentrator
Local
Transreceiver
Disconnect Meter
Customer
Local
Transreceiver
Load
Disconnect
Meter
Load
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ADVANTAGES OF SELECTED SCHEME
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Simpler software and hardware
Real-time integration with billing system
Centralized database and security modules
More vending points at a lower cost of ownership
Easier system management
More efficient arrears collection
Increased database and encryption security
Easier data management and scalability
Very quick setup of online vendor at lower cost
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FUURE DEVELOPMENT
1. Extension to water & gas services
Electricity
Meter
Electricity
Meter
Gas
Meter
Radio
Transmitter
Data
Concentrator
Electricity
Meter
Electricity
Meter
Data
Collector
Radio
Receiver
PLC
Modem
Water
Meter
11/0.415 kV
Distribution SS
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
2. Applying online prepayment scheme to:
– large commercial customers
– Governmental buildings
3. Upgrading to AMR
4. Integration in distribution management
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THANK YOU
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