Background
Why an LPG Cylinder meter?Approximately 75% of Kenyan households and 93.2% of rural households rely on polluting fuels for cooking. With affordability being a key access barrier to clean cooking fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), LPG smart meter technology may help resource-poor households adopt LPG by allowing small and incremental gas payments.
Over 21,560 Kenyans die every year due to Household Air Pollution(HAP) attributed to exposure to harmful pollutants emitted from burning wood & charcoal.
Design & functions
The meter is primarily used to offer LPG to customers on a prepaid basis. Measurement of LPG and the ability to remotely control access to the gas is a critical function of the meter.
Functions
1. Safely release gas when customer has enough token to cook, shut down when depleted
2. Measure amount of gas consumed and remaining in cylinder real time
3. Communicate location of the CSM
Benefits of Cylinder Smart Meter
1. Affordability- Makes LPG affordable, one can cook with as low as Kes 5.00 and does not require upfront lump some of over Kes 3,000 to refill a 13Kg cylinder.2. Never run-out of gas solution: With CSM you can determine precisely how much gas is used and how much is left hence plan for early delivery to avoid running out of gas
3. Data: CSM provides real time data like customer consumption, location etc that’s vital in decision making
4. Locks in Customer-With CSM the company is assured of keeping and maintaining customers
5. Traceability of Cylinders: CSM cannot be detached from the cylinder hence
6. Access to Financing: CSM technology can easily get funding(grants, equity, debt, carbon finance etc.)
