Towards achievement of adequate consumer integration: The smart grid approach

Virtually all human activities rely on electricity in one way or the other and this has brought about the clamour by both service providers (utility companies) and consumers for more effective and efficient service delivery. This paper investigates ways to achieve this through the smart grid concept. A critical appraisal of the effectiveness of the existing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in use for consumer participation, integration, involvement and utility management was carried out. Data obtained were tabulated and analysed. The results obtained necessitated the design of a smart portal using PHP Scripting Language, MySQL Database Management System and the Macromedia Dreamweaver 8 Design Tool. The smart portal enables in real time, effective and efficient bill check, bill payment and creates an interactive platform for enquiries, lodging complaints and proffering suggestions. Its Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) integrated consumer notification further enhances accessibility. Its database management system gives for effective analysis and management of finance, consumer details and other issues. The functionalities of the smart portal prove it to be a needed aid overcoming the challenges militating against effective consumer integration, involvement and utility management in the Nigerian electricity grid.