INFUSING DATA INTO THE NIGERIAN ENERGY (POWER) SCENE

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The two main things that would continually increase in future are Energy demand and Data. So there has to be a way of managing this growing energy demand. The world's population is growing significantly daily, in Nigeria alone we are approaching 200 million people, and these 200 million people require energy to meet their daily needs. Also quintillion bytes of data are generated daily world wide. We can easily appreciate the power of data in the recent Facebook data scandal with Cambridge Analytica. Data is being infused in so many things, so why not infuse it into the Nigerian Energy (Power) scene. This brings about Energy Analytics.

                                           


According to enertiv Energy Analytics describes the process of collecting electrical data and applying sophisticated analytical software and algorithms to deliver insights around consumption and time of use reductions. Energy Analytics is gaining traction and currently been used by many energy companies in the world. Infact, we now have specialized companies, who's main services is to provide energy analytic services to their client. Nigeria today suffers from insufficient power generation among other power issues. And one way to make the best use of this limited generation, is through highly efficient energy demand management through the use of data.

                                      


Energy companies in Nigeria, most especially, power distribution companies (DISCO's) need to acquire more data about their customers. This would help them in serving their customers better and also solving some of their challenges. Personally, I know some Power distribution companies are already embracing this new aspect, by using data in fishing out energy meter bypassers. This is just one of the several ways in which data can used.  Data/Energy Analytics can be used by in forecasting possible equipment and asset downtime and failure, this can help in reducing unnecessary downtime. Based on the limited power available for distribution to customers, Energy Analytics can be used in optimal power sharing and allocation, such that customers are given power when they need it most, and customers are given the right amount of power they can actually afford.  This would help increase the collection efficiency and further reduce the ATC&C losses. As the Nigerian Power grid grows smarter with the installation of smart meters, distribution companies can now have access to more accurate, real time information about their customers. These new data being acquired is gold and should be used judiciously.

                                                 


Data/Energy Analytics isn’t meant for only the power companies. With increased penetration of smart meters in Nigerian homes, I foresee a situation where software development and Internet of Things would be incorporated with smart meters such that customers can have mobile or web apps that shows them their current energy usage, displaying when (time) they consume the most energy, the appliance that consumes the most energy, best time to operate certain equipment to reduce energy cost among other features. This would make the customers more energy conscious, and give them a better insights on how to manage their energy in the most efficient and cost effective way.

It is my hope, that in future we would see the rise of more Energy Analytic companies in Nigeria and see more energy companies infusing data into their business models.

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