GIS-Based electricity fraud detection system using IoT: Case study: Rwanda Energy Group (REG)

Abstract

Adequate electricity is a main challenge in low income (developing) countries. Reducing technical and non-technical losses of electricity is, thus, important. This research aims at detecting the non-technical losses that are caused by electricity users who bypass the electricity meter and get electricity for free (theft), thus, lowering the financial income of the electricity utility companies. Beyond the detection of this fraud, this work will help identify the defaulters and proposes a new approach of apprehending these fraudulent customers by introducing a system that compares the input and the output currents. If there is a mismatch in these quantities, the system activates a counter to start reading the amount of electricity stolen, reports the duration of theft, and communicates directly with the branch manager of the utility company. The address and location of the fraudster as well as the historical data of electricity usage will be displayed (kept) and stored in a cloud and allow only authorized officials of the electricity board to keep track of all the frauds, areas of fraud, and the routes to reach the areas where the frauds are committed.