Assessing the potential for smart, wireless electricity meters in off-grid Sub-Saharan Africa

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Small distributed mini grids have long been touted as a green solution to supplying electricity across vast distance & replacing the use of harmful fossil fuel sources to the 620m unconnected in rural Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) , However, the inability to monitor, control & collect payment for electricity in off-grid SSA is cited as one of the biggest barriers to the development of the mini-grid market (Energy Map;2015). We aim to design & assess the technical & operational feasibility of a low cost, ruggedized, LPWAN (Low-power wide area network) wireless smart meter & mobile payment system designed explicitly for rural, off-grid SSA. Our proposed system utilises emerging mobile technology to connect thousands of energy consumers to mini grid electricity. Using cloud technology, advanced data analytics, PAYG mobile payments & a range of intelligent power & data algorithms, our system will allow the retail of affordable electricity even in the most challenging, remote locations. This will enable the widespread roll-out of metered electricity to rural communities, significantly reducing the economic, health & environmental damage caused by unsustainable energy sources.