Project Details
The Power Division, supported by GIZ Bangladesh, intends to improve and simplify the application process for Net Metering (NEM) for utility consumers, as well as effectively manage the field visits, system evaluations, contract signings, and monitoring processes for distribution companies using appropriate information technology and software-based automation systems.
Before automation, utilities granted net metering permissions through manual processes. This approach resulted in significant delays and lacked proper monitoring. Consequently, the number of net metering consumers did not increase, and the export of excess electricity to the grid after consumption did not occur as expected. Additionally, data accessibility, manageability, and analyzability were severely lacking.
To increase the number of net metering consumers and deliver faster services, the Power Division, supported by GIZ Bangladesh, has initiated the development and implementation of a unified online net metering (NEM) application system.
The system is deployed in the National Data Center (Bangladesh Computer Council). Through this portal, consumers of utilities such as BPDB, BREB, DPDC, DESCO, WZPDCL, and NESCO can submit net metering and system evaluation applications to their respective utility providers. Additionally, utility offices can efficiently manage field visit processes, system evaluations, approval and contract signings.
The following activities are performed in this project:
- System requirement study and analysis
- Software design
- Code development
- Utilities consumer API integration
- SMS, email, and SSL certification API integration
- OpenStreetMap API integration
- Testing, bug fixing, and incorporation of client feedback
- Preparation of user and training manuals
- System operation training for utility users
- Application hosting at the BCC server
Video Tutorial
MAJOR FEATURES
- Online application for net metering
- Online application for system evaluation
- Consumer login
- Back-office user login (utilities)
- Back-office approval flow management
- Application return to consumer dashboard
- Application rejection
- Agreement signing
- User management
- User job transfer
- Dynamic approval flow setup
- Audit trail
- SMS and email queue
- FAQ setup
- System configuration
- Monitoring dashboard
- Application tracking
- SMS & E-mail notification
- Video tutorial
- Frequently asked questions
- Reports
- Support ticketing
MAJOR BENEFITS
- Consumers of all utilities can submit applications using a single platform
- Consumers of all utilities can easily submit their applications within 15 minutes
- It is very easy for utility officials to manage workflow for field inspector assignment, report submission and approval
- Field inspectors can easily schedule location visits and notify the applicant with a single click
- Utility officials will receive dashboard notifications for each pending activity
- Each delayed activity will be notified to utility officials through SMS and the dashboard
- Workflow history (actor-wise actions, comments, attachments, etc.) can be viewed by utility officials with a single click
- Effortless application status tracking for consumers, utility officials and power divisions, takes just 5 seconds
- Facility to generate instant reports with various parameters for individuals or all utilities
- It is very easy to monitor the activities by Utilities, SREDA, and Power Division using the dashboard