TECHNOLOGY

ASALI METER
Our powerful smart meters control all aspects of a mini-grid to ensure smooth operation all the time. Asali precisely meters consumption of the individual users so electricity can be sold on a pay-as-you-go basis. Any number of meters can be deployed to accommodate different mini-grid sizes.
DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
Customers receive AC electricity from the generation and storage system via distribution lines. Our software and methods are used to design highly reliable, yet low cost networks.
HONEYCOMB PLATFORM
Honeycomb automates vital mini-grid operations and receives a rich data stream from asali smart meters, enabling system monitoring, and analysis of consumption patterns and financial performance.
GENERATION
Our platform is compatible with any energy source, though solar pv arrays are most common if necessary, back up generators can be used in combination with renewable sources to ensure total reliability.
STORAGE
Storage capacity maximizes revenue and keeps customers happy even when electricity is not being generated. Surplus energy is stored in high capacity batteries so customers get a reliable supply of electricity at all times.
CONSUMER
Customers add credit to their accounts using existing mobile money services. Their power is immediately activated and can be used anytime. Alerts are sent via sms when their credit balance gets close to zero, and the electricity supply will deactivate if no credit is added.

Success in the energy access industry requires a keen grip on site performance and revenue streams, detailed insights into consumption patterns, and the ability to rapidly acquire suitable customers and site locations. Powerhive’s innovative technology platform is the solution for penetrating and scaling in emerging energy markets.

Honeycomb

Honeycomb is our cloud-based software platform that automates account management tasks, remotely monitors and controls mini-grid operations, and runs real-time data analytics.

Honeycomb remotely manages Asali units and connected devices such as charge controllers and inverters based on a number of preset parameters. The web interface allows managers and other operations personnel to maintain smoothly running mini-grids and analyze performance data. Single-client databases, and a dedicated communication layer between individual Asali units, third party payment systems, and the Honeycomb application ensure reliability, security, and scalability.

Honeycomb’s customizable features streamline operations and provide the tools necessary to run a successful mini-grid business.

 

Account management

Honeycomb integrates with any mobile money service for customer payment processing, and remotely connects or disconnects a customer’s electricity depending on the account status. Customers can query Honeycomb for account information via SMS, and operations personnel can set criteria that trigger automated customer alerts when met.

 

Flexible tariffs and pricing

Honeycomb supports dynamic pricing and a variety of flexible tariff structures to meet the specific requirements of every market and business model.

 

 

Load balancing

Load balancing handles fluctuations in consumption and ensures basic service. If necessary, supply can be prioritized for consumers such as schools and medical facilities according to custom parameters.

 

Performance monitoring

Honeycomb collects meaningful system performance data which can be displayed on a map so that problems are easily located. Field personnel are automatically notified if a problem is detected.

 

Field support

Operations and maintenance personnel can access customer account data, maintenance alerts, and other vital system information from the field, which streamlines workload management and customer support.

 

Data analysis

Honeycomb gives business managers access to an array of data analysis and visualization tools that display data comparisons, detailed consumption patterns, credit information, financial performance, and many other valuable metrics across countries, regions, or villages.

 

Asali

We developed Asali specifically for the unique conditions of off-grid mini-grid applications. This reliable and versatile smart meter handles complex operations with ease and flexibility.

Asali is a stand-alone distributed metering system designed to service a small cluster of customers. As many units as necessary can be placed on a single mini-grid to accommodate communities of any size, and centralized metering systems lower total system cost. Every Asali meter performs commands that come from central Honeycomb servers, making it easy to change parameters across thousands of customers and scale operations.

 

Disconnect circuits

Asali’s circuits can be remotely connected or disconnected via Honeycomb, giving companies the ability to offer flexible payment models and ensure a sustainable revenue stream.

 

Power levels

Asali is capable of accurately and efficiently metering very small loads and larger, light-commercial loads to ensure all revenue is captured.

 

Monitoring & control

Each meter is equipped with independent wireless communication hardware that supports a continuous data stream between Asali and Honeycomb. Asali transmits equipment performance and energy consumption data, while receiving credit balance and pricing data, load balancing and prioritization commands, and other important information.

 

Theft detection

Multiple levels of theft detection and prevention have been implemented through Powerhive’s specially designed mini-grid architecture and unique features of the Asali meter. Alerts are sent to operators and affected customers in case of theft.

SWARM

The Site Wizard for Analysis, Reconnaissance, and Mapping (SWARM) streamlines project development by enabling rapid mini-grid site selection and customer identification.

Rather than spend considerable time and resources sending personnel to investigate a location, our SWARM software gives project developers the means to remotely identify customers and site locations over broad regions. SWARM quickly and efficiently analyzes sites based on financial, technical, and geospatial data, and calculates optimal mini-grid locations, reticulation design, and estimated system size, resulting in a prioritized list of the most viable sites. Once the remote analysis is complete, the data are used to streamline the customer acquisition process, which saves time and radically lowers project development costs.