UNILORIN develops device to check electricity theft

Date: 2017-06-06

The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Ilorin, has developed a prototype anti-theft device that can remotely monitor and detect customers stealing electricity.

According to the acting head of the department, M. Akorede, the device, which can also cut the main supply to the location of such illegal act, will simultaneously send a message to the utility control room to alert the system operator with the customers' details displayed on the control panel.

Mr. Akorede disclosed that the Unilorin Laboratory to Product Centre (LABTOP) has started the processes for patenting the invention.

He said that the invention was put together by him and some students of the department. The students, who are currently on National Youth Service, are T. Olalekan, R. Adepoju, D. Itodo and M. Dickson.

"I gave the project to my undergraduate students; they carried out the project to a level and I took it over and brought it to a level that was up to a standard that we presented it at the NURESDEF, Abuja, a couple of months ago," he said.

He noted that the invention is now up to the standard that it can be patented. "I have brought this to the attention of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) although not officially… if adopted, the device would enable distribution companies to cut their commercial losses substantially."

Commenting further, he said, "People like to use electricity without paying for it. A lot of people that have been able to get the prepaid meter even though they can afford to pay their bills still want to bypass this thing to steal electricity and this is not helping the companies; it is not helping all of us as a whole. If the industry should collapse, everybody would bear the brunt of that problem and that is why the consumers too have to share out of the problem."

While noting that distribution companies (DISCOs) also have their share of the blame by not wanting to take on responsibilities such as faulty transformers, Mr. Akored bemoaned the lack of political will, inadequate funding as well as obsolete infrastructure in the industry for the current problem associated with power failures in the country.

He However, pointed out that the tripartite arms of generation, transmission and distribution lack adequate funding in the sense that some of their equipment are over-aged and need to be replaced.

"They need funding to expand their facilities such that a transformer, for example, will not be overloaded, because if power is supplied to an overloaded transformer, it means the customers will not enjoy good quality electricity supply," he said.

The head of department also noted that the current clamour for generation companies to sell power directly to consumers may not make much difference in boosting power supply to Nigerians.

"Technically, I don't think it would work out fine; I don't think there is going to be much difference as such... that is likely to add to the problem in the energy industry because we already have people managing distribution while another is managing transmission from generation companies to make it available to distribution companies.

"Each of these stakeholders is looking at the specific roles given to them. So, if it is now muddled up again, I think there will be problem in the society," he submitted.

Source

 


Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Muslim Cementary     Maja     Gobir     Bayo Mohammed Onimode     Yusuf Abdulwahab     Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Bello Bature     Aminu Adisa Logun     Okedare     Issa Oloruntogun     Alfa Modibo Belgore     AbdulRauf Keji     Bamidele Aluko     Toun Okewale-Sonaiya     Christopher Odetunde     Bello John Olanrewaju     Kayode Laro     Alore     Ilesha-Baruba     Garment Factory     Gobirawa     National Pilot     Mufti Of Ilorin     Saliu Ajia     Igosun     Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar     Zubair Folorunsho Erubu     Ilorin Airport     COEASU     Idris Amosa Saidu     Ita-Ore     Iyabo Adewuyi     Jebba     Anilelerin     John Olobayo     Raliat Islamic Foundation     Bashir Badawi     Olosi Of Osi     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Ojuekun     New Nigeria People’s Party     Revenue Court     Jumoke Gafar     AGM Professional Services     Tunji Ajanaku     Olofa Of Offa     Isiaka Danmeromu     Okin Biscuits     Aremu Bose Deborah     Ahmad Uthman     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     Sayomi     Ubandawaki     Akanbi-Oke     Olajumoke Monsura Gafar     Sardauna     Saadu Alanamu     Sarah Alade     Adedipe     Col. Ibrahim Taiwo     Mahee Abdulkadir     Ahmad Fatima Bisola     Idowu Aremu     Afolabi-Oshatimehin     Gaa Olobi     Mukhtar Shagaya     Mumini Ishola Hanafi     Iqra Books     Mogaji Aare     Muslim Stakeholders Of Kwara State     Abioye Bello     Ijagbo Health Centre     Just Event Online     Olohungbebe     Femtech     Bolakale Ayo    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Ariyo     Jaigbade Alao     Ilorin Metro Park     Sai Kayi     Al-Hikmah Radio     Maja     Hausa     Yunus Oniboki     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Ayo Salami     Afetu Of Alabe     Ibraheem Abdullateef     Pakata Patriots     Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment     Chief Imam Of Offa     Adeleke Ogungbe     Siddiq Adebayo Idowu Salawu     Alfa Belgore     Olatinwo     Opaleke Bukola Iyabo     Lanre Issa-Onilu     Adamu Ibrahim Sabi     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Adedipe     Afolabi-Oshatimehin Adenike Harriet     Aliyu Olatunji Ajanaku     Revenue Court     Iyeru Grammar School     Sanusi Abubakar     John Kehinde Salako     Goodluck Jonathan     Michael Nzwekwe     KWACOBPA     Balogun-Ojomu     Issa Memunat Moyosore     CACOVID Palliatives     Sodiya     Ahman Pategi     MMWG     AbdulRauf Keji     Sheriff Shagaya     Mumini Ishola Hanafi     Lukman Adeloyin     Yahaya Abdulkareem     Ndakene     Shade Omoniyi     Memunat Monsuma     IHS     Joseph Alex Offorjama     Budo-Egba     Saliu Alamoyo     Baba-Isale     Adedeji Onimago     Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu     Matthew Babaoye     Gobir Organization Foundation     Belgore     Sambo Murtala     Saidu Isa     Olusola Saraki     Share-Tsaragi     Post-utme     KWASAA     Musa Alhassan Buge     Apaola     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     Na\'Allah     Sobi Hill     Abdulrauf Yusuf     Baaziki Sulaiman     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Nigeria Computer Society     Neuropsychiatric Hospital     AIT Ilorin     Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan     Allocation     Omupo