Industry
Headquarters
DISCOMs (Power Distribution Companies) are a weak point in the indian power sector.
They are selling a commodity everybody needs, yet they are not making money.
“ We project our demand accordingly,…the next day demand is sub-classified in 15 minutes block (96 blocks of 24 hours). So from 00 hours to 24 hours every 15 minutes demand is projected, every 15 minutes generation is matched up and wherever there is a short fall, it is being procured in a Term Ahead Market (TAM). ”
Paresh Bhagwat
Customers need to understand their usage patterns and how they are being charged, frictionless interaction with suppliers, and not miss their payment deadline due to misplaced bills and the inefficient process that ensues to rectify it.
“ I don't know what appliances are taking how much load…I need a way to determine that and manage my usage…power costs are high so I want to be able to know how I can keep my bills low. ”
Chetan
Customer
Conventional power grids & electricity meters limit the ability of power distributors & power consumers needs to be fulfilled.
The power grid set up during the industrial revolution is inadequate for today's demands. Rapid shifts in power supply and consumption patterns have outpaced the grid's evolution and supporting infrastructure, creating obstacles for both power suppliers and customers to fulfill their needs.
A symbiotic relationship, where power consumers and suppliers both contribute to and benefit from a robust grid, is essential.
CUSTOMERS
Informed Customers
Customers understand their usage and billing, providing transparency and enhancing their experience.
Conscientous Consumption
Customers make better consumption decisions and eliminate wasteful habits saving them money.
Timely Payments
Payment reminders and constant bill access ensure timely payments, simplifying the process and preventing complications from lost bills and late fees.
UTILITIES
Consumption Projection
Access to data in real time helps suppliers make better consumption projections resulting in better procurement decisions resulting in cost savings.
Automated
Remote graft detection & monitoring, and consumption tracking results in efficiency improvement by orders of magnitude over the earlier manual process.
Improved Cashflow
Timely Payments, better consumption projection and automation results in improved cashflow.
Introducing Nio , a product and service ecosystem leveraging new technology to transition from a conventional grid to a smart grid
Nio app lets customers manage utilities from one interface.
Nio-S device replaces traditional meters to update infrastructure.
Nio Omni tool helps employees monitor connections, manage power, and handle company-wide tasks.
Monitoring & Managing
Enabling customers to manage and monitor utilities from an app.
Payment Reminders & Transparency in Billing
Sending payment reminders and enabling instant payments while providing transparency in billing and a clear breakdown of charges.
Theft & Damage Detection
Nio Omni enables employees to detect power theft or damage accurately in real time and take actions like assigning an engineer to fix it.
Power Projection
Power consumption data captured by Nio-S in real time is used to project power consumption demand in real time.
Grid Health Monitoring
Real Time Projections
Omni Channel Capabilities
Consumers now manage utilities and payments, while power distributors use data to project demand & optimize grid operations
Consumers are now able to monitor & manage their utilities & make timely payments while the power distributors through availability of data are now able to project demand accurately, make better procurement decisions & have more control over the operations of grid.
25%
Improved employee experience (estimated)
20%
Improved power procurement experience (estimated)
DESIGN PROCESS
DISCOM, a power sector weak point, struggles despite revival attempts. The complex issue needs multiple synchronized solutions. The 2016 UDAY scheme failed, worsening losses. Bailout packages haven't worked. Unbundling and other measures had limited impact. Government steps include the Electricity Act 2003, Unbundling, Power exchanges, and privatization. Transitioning to smart grids is crucial, starting with smart meters.
Structured Interviews : 15 | Unstrucrured Interviews : 5
Firsthand info delved into DISCOM challenges, uncovering issues like bribery and violence missed in secondary research. Primary research added depth, segmenting challenges across user groups. Live power procurement example and contract discussions enriched understanding.
All the devices available in the market had to be imported from elsewhere & were costly for an average Indian to own. Importing these devices added to the reluctance of adoption. The Indian government proposed widespread installation of affordable smart meters conditional upon a successful pilot project. While the DISCOM officials were skeptical of the smart meter since it did not allow them to communicate with the consumers & the ability to capture & use data was limited.
All the devices available in the market had to be imported from elsewhere & were costly for an average Indian to own. Importing these devices added to the reluctance of adoption. The Indian government proposed widespread installation of affordable smart meters conditional upon a successful pilot project. While the DISCOM officials were skeptical of the smart meter since it did not allow them to communicate with the consumers & the ability to capture & use data was limited.
A synchronized effort involving policies, technologies, and user engagement was necessary. Consumer participation is limited to consumption and bill payments, lacking contribution to the grid. A comprehensive solution is sought to benefit both suppliers and consumers, transforming the grid into a healthy ecosystem.
Expanding and filtering ideas through brain dumping, DVF and product matrix. Mapping the system touch-points and interactions to identify leverage points..
Expanding and filtering ideas through brain dumping, DVF and product matrix. Mapping the system touch-points and interactions to identify leverage points..
Designed low-fidelity wireframes to visualize the interface and navigation, iteratively refining them based on user feedback. Afterward, built a 3D mock of Nio-S.