Zhejiang Hangzhou Power Supply Company Releases New Smart Meter Acquisition System

China Instrument Network Instrument R&D At the recent National On-site Meeting of the State Grid Corporation Enterprise Management Innovation, Zhejiang Hangzhou Power Supply Company introduced a groundbreaking smart meter collection system named “LastGasp.” This innovative solution is set to revolutionize power outage management and improve service efficiency.

As a key player in the energy sector, grid companies are responsible for ensuring a safer, more economical, cleaner, and sustainable power supply. Despite continuous grid upgrades, power outages in Hangzhou still occur—especially during extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures or cold spells. These outages are often caused by insufficient power supply or excessive strain on power lines, though most are due to equipment failures.

To address these challenges, Hangzhou Power Supply Company launched the “LastGasp” smart meter collection system. Designed to detect and report faults quickly, this system allows staff to locate issues with greater precision and respond faster.

The “LastGasp” device is equipped with a super capacitor that stores surplus power. Even during a power outage, it can continue to function and send an emergency signal to the distribution automation main station. This “last breath” data enables repair teams to identify the fault location immediately and dispatch personnel to the scene swiftly.

So far, 100,000 “LastGasp” meters have been installed in pilot areas. In the core zone of Qianjiang Century City, the digital repair capabilities of these meters have significantly reduced the average annual power outage time for local customers to under two minutes.

Beyond quick fault detection, the system also enhances offline repair services. For example, it helps match repair crews nearby and provides accurate customer locations upon receiving a signal. Over the years, Hangzhou has developed a comprehensive data asset system for the entire distribution network. Repair teams can now access both the fault location and the condition of the faulty equipment simultaneously, allowing them to prepare effectively before arriving at the site. Meanwhile, the control center can pinpoint the exact cell, unit, and account number where the signal originated.

Looking ahead, as the “LastGasp” meters are upgraded, residents may no longer need to call the 95598 hotline. Instead, electricians could be dispatched directly to their homes within seconds of a power interruption. Within just 10 seconds of a blackout, power in the community could be restored automatically. Additionally, customers might receive SMS notifications about any distribution network failures without even needing to check their phones.

Moving forward, Hangzhou Power Supply Company plans to use the “LastGasp” meter as a data source point to collect information on water, electricity, gas, and even distributed power generation in residential areas. This will enable comprehensive online monitoring and analysis of customer energy efficiency, transforming the small electric meter into a true “energy data steward” that serves people’s daily lives.

(Source: Metro Express, Hangzhou Daily, Guofu Power)