Alstom has been selected to provide its Integrated Distribution Management System (IDMS) to PPL Electric Utilites, which provides electric delivery service to 1.4 million customers in the state of Pennsylvania (USA). The contract is an integral part of PPL Electric Utilities broader three-year, $38 million Smart Grid project to enhance system reliability in the Harrisburg area.
This Alstom designed technology, known as e-terra distribution 3.0, combines Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)1
software and advanced Distribution Management System (DMS)2 in one integrated IDMS. The project follows PPL Electric Utilities
installation of an Alstom Energy Management System and represents the latest in a string of deliveries to US utilities now operational using Alstom’s IDMS to monitor and control their distribution networks.
The seamless IDMS includes a single user interface utilising a single network model to provide PPL Electric Utilities distribution operators with real-time situational awareness for improved reliability. From one point in its control room, PPL Electric Utilities can access a suite of ‘smart’ applications to monitor and control electricity distribution and transmission networks, maximizing reliability across the entire network.
Storm restoration and resiliency is a key concern for distribution utilities. Alstom’s IDMS technology offers ‘self-healing’ attributes to locate faults, while the automated response capabilities help speed efforts to restore power and improve overall reliability. Alstom’s single platform software architecture was developed specifically for 3-phase unbalanced distribution networks and is well-suited to handle large volumes of data. This will help PPL Electric Utilities make informed decisions concerning both day-to-day operations and outages from severe weather events.
“We are seeing a growing focus on Smart Grid technology, including distribution infrastructure, driven by the need to improve reliability, integrate clean renewable energy resources and respond faster to widespread outages.” said Karim El Naggar, Vice President of Alstom Grid’s Network Management Solutions business. “PPL Electric Utilities is already making effective use of our standard deployment methodology including the capabilities, tools and processes to support a streamlined, on-time delivery.”
“The implementation of Alstom’s IDMS is consistent with our broader efforts to improve the overall reliability of our electricity network with advanced smart grid technologies,” said David Bonenberger, Vice President Distribution Operations for PPL. “Our new IDMS will give our system planners more detailed information about electric usage and load on various utility equipment so that they can better plan reliability improvements and prioritize future investments in the power grid that benefit our customers.”
1 SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a category of software application for control rooms, that gathers operational data from across the grid in order to control equipment, electrical flows and network conditions.
2 A distribution management system (DMS) is the software platform that supports the full suite of distribution management and optimisation.
###
About Alstom
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure, setting the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over €20 billion and booked close to €24 billion in orders in 2012/13. Alstom Grid has one clear vision: to develop innovative solutions for a flexible, reliable, affordable and sustainable electrical grid, everywhere. We design, manufacture, install and service the power transmission and distribution products and systems that empower the planet’s low carbon economy… for now and for the future.
Alstom Grid has over 130 years’ experience and ranks among the top three in the electrical transmission sector with an annual sales turnover of more than €4 billion. Alstom Grid’s 19,000 employees are spread across 88 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide and have one
common mission: be our customers’ trusted partner, from the source to the city. We are energising a smarter world… with Alstom.
About PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), provides electric delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania and has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at
www.pplelectric.com.
Press Contacts
Fallon McLoughlin (US Media Relations) – +1 202 351 9322
fallon.mcloughlin@alstom.com
Online