Indra implements its grid management solution in kplc, the kenya power and lighting company, to streamline the identification of incidents and improve the service

Indra, one of the world's top technology and consulting companies, has signed a contract with KPLC, the Kenya electricity company, to implement InGRID, its latest-generation integrated grid management system for the utilities sector.

The project involves updating the grid management system implemented by Indra in 1996 and forms part of KPLC's upgrade program for its main business systems that was launched two years ago with the implementation of InCMS, the commercial management system developed by the technology and consulting company, which currently manages more than seven million customers in Kenya.

The implementation of InGRID will help grow the revenues of KPLC while cutting grid management costs because the system reduces power outage times by streamlining the identification of incidents in assets and determining the optimal routes for field teams to access different points in the grid. The objective is to guarantee that the growth in grid assets—such as lines, transformers and supply points—and customers does not affect incident response and resolution times.

The solution will integrate seamlessly with KPLC's other business systems and will include mobility technology to facilitate the integration of work orders into the vehicle management system that assigns orders in real time depending on the brigade's location and specialization.

The project scope includes updating IGEA, Indra's geographic information system, by adding tools to gather information from the grid and facilitate access through mobile devices. It will also provide digital training solutions to simulate the operation of the grid in different scenarios.

Lastly, Indra will harness its experience in different smart grid initiatives to pilot an advanced grid management system at a group of substations, monitoring their output in real time and using Internet of Things (IoT) devices to detect events liable to endanger these assets. As an added benefit, the cost of the solution is much lower than traditional SCADA communication systems.

InGRID records service outage reports from customers and automatically creates incident logs for management by company operating centers. In addition, the platform systematically monitors energy flows, identifying any losses by measuring general grid readings and consumption at supply points. It also analyzes the potential for consumption irregularities and classifies grid zones based on loss levels and progress over time.

A leader in the implementation of energy solutions in Africa

More than 20 million customers in Africa are managed using Indra's business solutions for utilities. A contract awarded by KPLC, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, in 1996 was Indra's first project to improve and transform the energy sector in Africa. Since then it has undertaken more than 15 major projects and has offices in several countries on the continent, including a center of excellence in Nairobi where it maintains and develops business solutions to address the challenges and opportunities facing the energy companies and utilities in the region.

Indra is an outstanding leader in the implementation of energy solutions for power companies in Africa, where it has been involved in some of the foremost modernization projects of the last 20 years. The company's management systems for energy firms help to run utilities in Kenya (KPLC, Ketraco, NCWSC, Gulf Power), Zimbabwe (ZETDC), Zambia (ZESCO, Copperbelt), Ghana (ECG), Mozambique (EDM), Ethiopia (EEU), Uganda (UMEME), Cameroon (Eneo), Malawi (ESCOM) and Liberia (LEC).

Indra's energy solutions have been implemented in more than 100 utilities in more than 45 countries. Over 100 million customers worldwide currently benefit from systems developed by the global consulting and technology company.

About Indra

Indra is one of the world's top technology and consulting companies and a technology partner for the key operations of its customers' businesses worldwide. It is a leading worldwide provider of proprietary solutions in niche areas in Transport and Defense Markets and the absolute leader in IT in Spain and Latin America. It offers a comprehensive range of proprietary solutions and cutting edge services with a high added value in technology based on a unique culture of reliability, flexibility and adaptability to the needs of its customers. Indra is a world leader in developing end-to-end technology solutions in fields such as Defense and Security; Transport and Traffic; Energy and Industry; Telecommunications and Media: Financial Services; Electoral Processes; and Public Administrations and Healthcare. Minsait is Indra’s digital transformation business unit. In 2017 Indra posted a revenue of 3.011 billion euros, employed 40,000 professionals, and had a local presence in 46 countries plus sales operations in more than 140 countries.