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April 15, 2009: SCADA system going through commissioning tests. SCADA stands for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. It generally refers to centralized systems which monitor and control entire sites, or complexes of systems spread out over large areas (anything between an industrial plant and a country). Most control actions are performed automatically by remote terminal units ("RTUs") or by programmable logic controllers ("PLCs"). Host control functions are usually restricted to basic overriding or supervisory level intervention. A SCADA System usually consists of the following subsystems: ? A Human-Machine Interface or HMI is the apparatus which presents process data to a human operator, and through this, the human operator, monitors and controls the process ? A supervisory (computer) system, gathering (acquiring) data on the process and sending commands (control) to the process ? Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) connecting to sensors in the process, converting sensor signals to digital data and sending digital data to the supervisory system ? Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs) used as field devices because they are more economical, versatile, flexible, and configurable than special-purpose RTUs ? Communication infrastructure connecting the supervisory system to the Remote Terminal Units. Automatic/smart metering to come online in April 2009. Metering is the most effective and fundamental protection against the institutionalized theft which is deeply prevalent within Karachi. Faulty and tampered metering is being addressed as a key priority with new process mapping for faulty metering, replacement with new meters and maintenance of an active central database for metering. Ultimately. The key focus is to develop a long-term strategy to combat hook theft, implement long term cohesive plan to counter meter theft, use of AMR and deploying ABC Cables for overhead mains and service connection. The end result being accurate meters system wide and educating the public against impression that KESC installs “fast” meters. Ninety-eight 11KV feeders have been erected, commissioned and energized. 323 PMTs installed. In order to relieve the existing overloaded feeders and to have network flexibility for transfer load in case of faults 55 new feeders from existing grids and 43 from 3 new grids have been laid and energized. This will not only bring system stability, but also reduce technical losses due to overloading and long length of existing feeders. Till June another 27 feeders from 2 new grids (Airport II and Memon Goth)and 31 feeders from existing grids have been planned to be laid and energized. To remove the overloading of existing distribution transformers 323 new transformers have been installed and energized. This has improved the voltage profile in those areas and also reduced the technical losses caused due to overloading of transformers and long length of Low Tension overhead distribution lines. 200 MVA of grid transformers added to the system. We have instituted year-round preventive maintenance vs. only winter, the norm. Installation of safety equipment at grid stations and overall, replacement of feeders and grid transformers to ensure the system losses, including those related to weather are minimized. Integrated Business Centre launched a one-window service solution for customers. KESC embarks on an ‘Integrated Business Centre’ drive from 8th April to be pilot-tested in the demographically diverse locality of Defence. This covers 80,000 consumers and covers low-income localities including Gizri, Akhtar Colony, Quyumabad, T&T Colony, Hazara Colony and various others, wide reach being a key focus for the new programme. Operationally, four BOCs in Defence are merged into a single-unit, refurbished Integrated Business Centre (IBC), a new interface between KESC and its customers. Rashid Hussain, newly appointed General Manager of the Defence IBC, created under the KESC “Umeed Zone” banner and located for the pilot at 13th Commercial Street, Phase II in the midst of Defence's Commercial Area, says, “The key partner for success of these business centre’s are our customers.