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

小型分布式迷你电网长期以来一直被吹捧为远距离供电的绿色解决方案，取代了对撒哈拉以南非洲农村地区6.2亿未联网人口的有害化石燃料来源的使用，然而，无法监测、控制和收取离网SSA的电费被认为是发展迷你电网市场的最大障碍之一(Energy Map；2015)。我们的目标是设计和评估一个低成本、坚固耐用、低功率广域网络(LPWAN)无线智能电表和移动支付系统的技术和操作可行性，该系统专门为农村、离网SSA而设计。我们建议的系统利用新兴的移动技术，将数千名能源消费者连接到微型电网电力。使用云技术、高级数据分析、Payg移动支付和一系列智能电力和数据算法，我们的系统将允许零售负担得起的电力，即使在最具挑战性的偏远地点也是如此。这将使计量电力能够广泛推广到农村社区，大大减少不可持续能源造成的经济、健康和环境破坏。

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.