Business & Finance
Business and Finance
Business and Finance
Wed, July 21, 2010 
ATLANTA--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--ATLANTA, GA.a"July 21, 2010a"changesa"because nobody notices when the lights stay ona"but their electric service is about to become more efficient, reliable and consumer-friendly as PPL Electric Utilities launches a smart grid project that includes GEa™s (NYSE: GE) world-class distribution management system. GEa™s network management software gives PPL Electric Utilities new ways to aseea and control the status, performance and interaction of equipment throughout its grid. With the ability to see and fix potential problems before they occur, PPL Electric Utilities can minimize the frequency and duration of power outages.
"The smart grid improvements wea™re making will deliver real benefits for the customers who count on us each day."
aFrom smart grid technology innovations to rebates, incentives and education, we are always driving new ways to improve performance for our customers,a said Martha Dodge, senior director of smart grid projects for PPL Electric Utilities. aThe smart grid improvements wea™re making will deliver real benefits for the customers who count on us each day.a
GEa™s distribution management system, recognized throughout the world for its ability to improve electric service, was initially developed for the United Kingdom, where it controls more than 80% of the distribution grid. This software system is a key element of GEa™s companywide commitment, called Grid IQ, to modernize the worlda™s infrastructure and make the smart grid smarter. The economic and lifestyle benefits can be profound, as power interruptions and disturbances cost the U.S. economy approximately $80 billion each year.*
aElectric infrastructure upgrades, like PPL Electric Utilitiesa™, can deliver dramatic advantages to a region,a said Bob Gilligan, vice presidenta"digital energy for GE Energy Services. aMore reliable, efficient and cleaner energy creates a more attractive environment for businesses and consumersa"spurring economic development and improving lifestyles.a
GEa™s network management software collects and analyzes information from across the power grid to control the flow of electricity in response to ever-changing demand. Some of its major accomplishments include:
a Outage management technology that can determine the source of a power outage and automatically route electricity around ita"minimizing the number of customers affected.
a Grid efficiency technology that balances the loading of power lines in response to real-time power needsa"reducing wasted energy, while also minimizing the stress on costly capital assets.
a Renewable energy integration solutions that make it easy to tap into the clean power generated by rooftop solar panels and local wind turbinesa"reducing Pennsylvaniaa™s CO2 emissions that come from electricity generation.
About PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), provides electric delivery services to 1.4 million customers in 29 counties of eastern and central Pennsylvania and has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at [ www.pplelectric.com ].
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the worlda™s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at [ www.ge.com ].
GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With nearly 85,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $37 billion, GE Energy [ www.ge.com/energy ] is one of the worlda™s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energya"GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gasa"work together to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.
* Understanding the Cost of Power Interruptions to U.S. Electricity Consumers, 2004 a"
Electricity Reliability and Power Quality [ http://certs.lbl.gov/CERTS_P_Reliability.html ]
