Tangedco maps its assets, 3.17 crore consumers using GIS

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) has used a geographic information system (GIS) to map its customers, its own assets like transformers etc. across the state.

The GIS technology applies geographic science with tools for understanding and collaboration. It helps people reach a common goal such as gaining actionable intelligence from all types of data.

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The advantages of using GIS are consumer location search for identifying the premises by all the officers for easy inspection.

The assets, as well as consumers of Tangedco for the entire state, have been mapped in GIS and integrated with the HT new application software for identifying Tangedco administrative boundaries.

GIS provides details about the total number of substations-voltage ratio-wise (circle-wise), the total number of high tension (HT) feeders, the total number of distribution transformers (DTs), total HT network, total number of poles (region-wise) and total number of low tension consumers (mostly domestic consumers).

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GIS helps in the mapping of defaulters, know the areas where defaulters are more and take appropriate action. The generation of reports for DT failure entries made by section officers is also made easy.

A total of 3.17 crore consumers of all types, 3.6 lakh transformers, 1.66 lakh km of high tension lines, and 5.25 lower tension networks have been mapped. Following the GIS mapping, it has become easy for officials to identify the premises for inspection as well as to repair any faults.

“Thus, if a fault occurs and instead of searching the entire feeder line, the linesmen will be able to pinpoint where the problem has occurred and dig the ground to repair the fault,” said a senior Tangedco official.

Earlier, the linesmen would search the entire line to locate the fault. “It was time-consuming and many areas would be without power supply for several hours. But GIS has helped us to locate the fault even while sitting in the office,” said the official.

Using GIS, Tangedco has collected data on the number of consumers under a particular tariff plan, the distance from the junction box to the consumer, type of connection (single or three-phase) etc.

With Tangedco planning to replace all digital meters with smart meters, the discom will be able to save a few crores of rupees by lowering the distribution losses and also preventing the linesmen from changing the entire line if there is a fault.