AEDC deploys first smart high-tension fault detector in Nigeria

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have deployed a smart high-tension overhead line fault circuit detector in Nigeria.

The smart grid outage management solution, implemented by Aquivis Technologies Limited, is said to be first of its kind in the country.

AEDC in a statement issued on Thursday by the General Manager, Communications, Mr Oyebode Fadipe, said the initiative will help reduce its Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses as well as improve network reliability of the 11kV and 33kV overhead feeders.

According to the DisCos, the solution, already in use in countries like; “United States of America, Canada, UK, Scotland, United Arab Emirates and South Africa,” will also reduce the time frame required to repair faulty high tension circuits and prolonged outages such as the 11KV and 33KV overhead feeders.

“Industry players hold the view that the solution could not have come at a better time than now in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) when customers are becoming increasingly concerned about the service delivery in the sector, especially in the area of feeder/grid management where outages trigger the loss of power supply to numerous customers of different categories including homes, offices, medical and educational facilities which are just beginning to recover from the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“The engagement of Aquivis to deploy the high-tension faults clearing solution forms part of AEDC’s initiative is to reduce its Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses as well as improve network reliability of the 11kV and 33kV overhead feeders as well customers’ satisfaction,” the statement partly read.

It explained that the deployment was part of her network reinforcement program adding that the real-time overhead fault detection monitoring solution has brought about improved network visibility, reliability and operational efficiency in the Company.

It also quoted the AEDC Managing Director Engr. Ernest Mupwaya, as saying that the initiative has enabled AEDC to address the operational challenges of incessant tripping, fault detection and prolonged outages on both the 11KV and 33KV feeder infrastructures.

“the detection solution would substantially reduce the time required to repair faulty lines and reduce operational expenses; improve network reliability and operational efficiency; provide a safer work environment for line crew and ultimately better customer satisfaction,” he said.

The Company further disclosed that with the completion of the project’s first phase, it would be extending the deployment to other parts of her network to achieve an increased level of distribution automation.

“This will bring about clear grid visibility and a platform for the improvement of operational efficiency and service to AEDC’s esteemed customers,” it added.

Also, Aquivis Managing Director Mr Jimi Kolawole was quoted to have said that; “our Smart Grid Management solutions address the technical and commercial challenges currently plaguing distribution links of the Nigerian power sector as well as creating a ubiquitous, dedicated and highly reliable machine-to-machine communication network where all our solutions can leverage upon.

“AEDC was looking for a real-time monitoring solution with two-way communication that will not only improve the company’s ability to monitor remotely, but also the ability to perform remote interventions. Together with our partner, Trilliant UK, we carefully reviewed their requirements and selected our award-winning communication platform, the wireless secured Mesh AMI platform to achieve the two-way machine-to-machine communication objective.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE