Making India's Discoms Smart With Advance Tech

Big Data & AdvancedAnalytics has been delivering significant value and creating competitive advantage for organisations across industries

- Raman Bhushan

. Although data analytics is not new to the Discoms industry, which has long used spreadsheets to analyse information, organisations are increasingly looking to harness the benefits of Big Data and Advanced Analytics across the value chain.

The Discoms sector in India has witnessed poor financial and operational health primarily due to subsidised pricing, electricity theft,

inefficient billing and collection and below average quality of network infrastructure. In the recent past, the Government of India has launched several schemes such as IPDS, DDUGJY and UDAY to assist distribution utilities in improving operational and financial efficiency and to undertake network expansion and modernisation. All of these initiatives entail expansion of data sources from consumers, assets and third party data, coupled with the adoption of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and other asset sensors. With this data foundation in place, utilities can look at applying analytics for strategic planning, optimising operations, managing assets, reducing operational costs and improving the customer experience.

Our global experience shows that optimal use of analytics within a smart grid program can help utilities: