The project, which was proposed to the US Department of Energy, would enable the company to move power efficiently, react instantaneously to changes on the delivery system and automatically reroute power around problems that occur.
David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities, said: “Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since the electric delivery system was installed. This project would help introduce Thomas Edison to the 21st century.”
The US Department of Energy has pledged around $3.3 billion to spur smart grid development. The company is looking for $19m in federal funding for the project. The company would partner with Drexel University and technology leaders GE Energy, Lockheed Martin and Alcatel-Lucent if the project is approved for funding. The improvements would be focused in 150 square miles of the company’s delivery system, where hundreds of new electrical devices would be installed
The new technology would allow the company to operate its power lines at optimal voltages, meaning customer appliances would use less electricity to do the same functions. This could save customers in the project area about $1.5m a year on their electricity bills, David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities, estimated.
The company is using advanced meters to keep costs down for customers, respond to power outages, plan upgrades to the delivery system, enable new rate options and detect electricity theft.
