Maintaining service quality is a daily but increasingly demanding challenge for DSOs, especially as achieving full visibility over low voltage networks has been difficult due to historical lack of sensorisation and digitalisation. These obstacles traditionally hinder proactive interventions and problems at low voltage level are typically identified only after contact with affected customers. Supported by the mass deployment of smart meters and sensors at transformer stations, in 2019, the Portuguese DSO E-REDES introduced big data analytical models for the identification, diagnosis, and prioritisation of interventions on problematic networks.
In particular, two complementary tools allow for both geographical visualisation of problematic energy delivery points and detailed diagnosis through advanced analytics applied to over- or under-voltage alarms recorded by smart meters. The developed tools are currently used across all E-REDES’ operational areas. The 350 proactive interventions carried out in 2022 avoided approximately €100’000 in complaints and losses.
