A Smart Retrofitted Meter for Developing Countries

Modern trends of managing energy consumption have proved the smart metering system as an effective scheme. With its capability of transmitting energy usage information in real-time to parties that matter, such as power generation stations, transmission stations, distribution stations and customers, more qualitative decisions concerning generation, distribution and usage of power are made. This energy usage information helps to match demand with supply hence reducing cost of production, increasing profitability, reducing waste and higher customer satisfaction. Despite the many benefits offered by smart meters, most developing countries in Africa such as Ghana still hold on to standalone energy meters that offer less capabilities. This paper brings to light some important drawbacks of smart meters implemented in other parts of the world and suggest possible solutions. The paper also assays the possibility of implementing secured smart retrofitted electric energy meters in developing countries in Africa taking the suggested solutions into consideration. This implementation does not require the replacement of the old meters