Gadgets of Real Time Feeder Monitoring System (RTFMS) introduced at Northern Discom. | Photo credit: By arrangement
HYDERABAD
Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Ltd (TGNPDCL) has installed Real Time Feeder Monitoring System (RTFMS) in all 16 circles under its jurisdiction to ensure better and quality power supply to its consumers.
Discom Chairman and Managing Director K. Varun Reddy said Northern Discom was among the first distribution companies in the country to adopt advanced technology. The new system would help the utility get accurate real-time power information and enable quick action and effective monitoring of feeders, thereby significantly reducing power outages, he explained.
The utility’s technical team studied the technology in six states before finalizing it for implementation, and it is currently being used in Odisha. The CMD said the technology is tailored to meet the operational needs of NPDCL.
After confirming its effectiveness, it was first tested at five substations as a pilot project. Once these substations were integrated with the SCADA system and after receiving positive feedback, the system was expanded to include 133 more substations, the CMD said.
“Work on the remaining substations is progressing rapidly, with the engineers concerned working diligently to achieve the set targets. An efficient and cost-effective version of the technology has been designed for rural substations to ensure reliable communication and monitoring,” he explained.
A new SCADA compatible software has been developed and installed at the Warangal headquarters to control the operation of the substation. With future expansion in mind, the servers have also been set up to meet software requirements for the next 15 years.
On the benefits of RTFMS, Mr. Varun Reddy said that operations could be controlled directly from the SCADA control room, real-time outage alerts could be sent to field workers allowing for quick power restoration, overload alerts could be sent immediately to field workers, and real-time data such as power consumption and voltage levels could be captured and analyzed.
In addition, Fault Passage Indicators (FPIs) are installed on 2,500 33kV and 11kV lines to increase reliability of supply. During outages, natural calamities or technical problems, FPIs would help identify the exact location of the fault without having to patrol entire lines, allowing engineers to immediately attend to the affected section and restore power, quickly minimizing downtime due to power outages.
Published – 06 Nov 2025 21:14 IST
