Landis+Gyr - Ampla – Effective reduction of energy losses in Rio de Janeiro

Ampla Energia e Serviços SA, Brazil
Effective reduction of energy losses in Rio de Janeiro

Advanced Metering Infrastructure is the weapon used in the struggle against energy losses in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Previously, Ampla Energia e Serviços SA, the Brazilian distribution company supplying electricity to 66 counties in the state of Rio de Janeiro, lost 53 percent of the energy supplied due to theft. Thanks to intelligent technology, this was reduced to only 2 percent.

In 2003, despite the huge investments made in order to combat the rampant energy theft to no avail, AMPLA, a subsidiary of the Spanish Endesa group, decided to make another attempt to master the situation: AMPLA evaluated two different technical solutions: first, to prevent illegal access to the distribution network and secondly, to implement a metering system which would be safe from fraud and could also allow remote communication.

For the distribution network solution, AMPLA designed a network called “DAT” where the low voltage cabling is raised to the same height as the medium voltage. Data concentrators, mounted on the 11 meter high masts, control up to 12 household meters. With the installation of the meters high up on the pole and protected by the medium voltage cabling illegal tapping becomes practically impossible.

More economical than a prepayment system

A comparison between prepayment and the SGP+M systems suggested by Landis+Gyr has convinced Ampla of the SGP+M’s qualities. This system is comprised of electronic meters, are installed inside the secondary concentrators which, in turn, installed on the distribution network masts, exchange data with the primary concentrator via Radio Frequency (RF). The primary concentrator communicates (in a two-way mode) through a modem (mobile, telephone line, communication gateway) with the Central Station, located at AMPLA’s headquarters. All information is collected and stored in a database. From the Central Station, through the Primary Concentrator all reading, remote connection/disconnection is done. All the consistency verification and validation is performed also by the Central Station.

New possibilities for customer care

The system retrieves measurements from the meters on a daily basis and the data is then made available to the consumers either through data terminals at AMPLA’s agencies, by a toll-free number or even on the internet. Moreover, customers can receive detailed information on their energy consumption via SMS. A power consumption bill with daily consumption figures is issued monthly.

Effective against energy theft

The director for losses at AMPLA, Mr. Claudio Rivera, says: “the SGP+M system, including the investment in the network and the distribution system, presents an interesting solution which ensures that our company receives payment for its services in low-income areas. …The results we have achieved so far are impressive: the complete solution reduced power energy losses from 53% to 2% in the areas where it was installed. The billing increased by 35% and the overdue bills dropped by about half.”