Rybinsk Smart Meters Use AI to Detect Hidden Crypto Mining
Rybinsk City Electric Grid is equipping residential buildings and businesses with smart electricity meters based on MTS EnergyTool's NB-IoT technology.
The devices automatically transmit meter readings to the grid company's platform over a secure channel, while a dedicated security system protects them against unauthorized access. Manual data reporting is no longer necessary, and the meters can remotely limit power supply.
The technology's relevance is underscored by the numbers: In the first quarter of 2026, Yaroslavl Region ranked among Russia's leading regions by the number of crypto-mining farms, with their number up 44% year over year. “Smart meters and artificial intelligence algorithms help identify such hidden electricity-consuming systems, as well as other atypical patterns of energy use,” MTS EnergyTool specialists said.
The technology is in demand at large industrial facilities and shopping centers, where dozens of meters may operate across a wide area. This helps operators identify inefficient energy use more quickly.
Rybinsk Mayor Dmitry Rudakov called the transition to smart meters a logical step toward a modern city.
