Smart metering specialist SparkMeter has been selected as prime contractor by the United States Trade and Development Authority (USTDA) to roll out a digital analytics platform to improve electricity grid operations for 100,000 people in West Africa.

SparkMeter will deploy the system for Sherlock Grids SAS, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created in Benin, West Africa, by Power:On, a minigrid operator, and Akuo, a France-based Independent Power Producer.

The project aims to improve the operations of dozens of mini-grids. SparkMeter’s participation in the grant will include consulting to develop geospatial models of utility assets and an electrical model of the grid. Cloud-based software will combine these models with SparkMeter’s smart meter data to produce analytics on grid performance. These services go a step beyond traditional feasibility studies. SparkMeter will use system modelling to deliver analytics that provide utilities and other stakeholders with operational insights that explain the root causes of grid anomalies, plot trends, show impacts, and suggest improvements.

“By digitising a mini-grid from its inception, utilities are able to more easily incorporate grid analytics into regular operations. Utilities can then consistently measure, visualise, and remotely operate their system that will displace charcoal cookstoves, kerosene lamps, and diesel generators with clean, renewable energy,” said Dan Schnitzer, CEO of SparkMeter. “Receiving support from USTDA and Power Africa for digitalisation is an indication that the sector is realising the transformative benefits of smart grid management for decarbonising electricity in emerging markets.”

“In West Africa, households spend up to 30% of their income on batteries, gasoline, charcoal, candles, and kerosene to access basic fossil-fuel energy services,” said Tristan Kochoyan, CEO at PowerOn. “Our work with SparkMeter and USTDA will help us dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels in our territory through improved management of electricity distribution and payments from customers on our grid.”

“Digital technologies can unlock energy access and economic opportunity for the 2.1 billion people without reliable electricity,” said David Riposo, Energy Access Officer at Power Africa. “Digital tools like SparkMeter’s can drive resilient, decarbonised grids at all scales while making diesel generators obsolete.”

The project is expected to conclude in June 2022.

SparkMeter provides smart metering and grid-management analytics for emerging markets. The company’s solution enables microgrids and distribution utilities operating in remote locations to access a range of features – prepaid billing, customer communications, and remote monitoring and control.