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

长期以来，小型分布式微型电网一直被吹捧为远距离供电的绿色解决方案，并取代了对撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA）农村6.2亿未连接的有害化石燃料源的使用，然而，无法监测，控制和收取离网SSA中的电费被认为是微型电网市场发展的最大障碍之一（能源地图，2015）。我们的目标是设计和评估一个低成本，坚固耐用，LPWAN（低功耗广域网）无线智能电表和移动的支付系统的技术和操作的可行性，明确设计为农村，离网SSA。我们提出的系统利用新兴的移动的技术将成千上万的能源消费者连接到迷你电网电力。利用云技术、先进的数据分析、现收现付移动的支付以及一系列智能电力和数据算法，我们的系统将允许在最具挑战性的偏远地区零售负担得起的电力。这将使农村社区能够广泛推广计量电力，大大减少不可持续能源造成的经济，健康和环境损害。

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.