Alstom delivers Integrated Distribution Management System in record time to PPL Electric Utilities

Alstom has delivered a new Integrated Distribution Management System (IDMS) to PPL Electric Utilities, helping the utility to manage outages and limit outage durations for its 1.4 million customers in central and eastern Pennsylvania. The new IDMS was delivered within 18 months, and is an integral part of PPL Electric Utilities’ Smart Grid project to enhance system reliability across its system.

The IDMS, based on Alstom’s new e-terradistribution 3.2 technology, integrates Distribution Management System and SCADA with Smart Grid technology to optimize operational efficiency and crew safety, and to decrease outage durations due to automatic fault isolation and service restoration.

Implementation of the new IDMS provides PPL’s distribution system operators with real-time information about the distribution network. Using updated electronic mapping, the system gives operators a more holistic and accurate view of current grid conditions, helping grid operators to make informed decisions during blue sky days, and for storm restoration.

"Our new IDMS is really the command and control center of our entire smart grid system. It allows us to recognize problems on the system and helps operators assess what remedial actions to take in the grid restoration process,” said Michael Godorov, Senior Project Manager at PPL Electric Utilities.  “We are excited about how the system will help us improve reliability for our customers by detecting power outages and faults faster and restoring service even before repairs are made.”

"Our single platform software architecture was developed specifically for three-phase unbalanced distribution networks, like that of PPL, that require extra robustness to manage added complexities from new energy sources such as solar and battery energy. Going live within 18 months underscores the maturity of our product, and the expertise of PPL and Alstom teams,” said Karim El Naggar, Alstom Grid’s Network Management Solutions Vice President.

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets 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 €21.5 billion in orders in 2013/14.

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 €3.8 billion. Alstom Grid’s 17,000 employees are spread across 87 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.

Press contacts 

Fallon McLoughlin (Alstom USA) – Tel: +1 347 821 8455; fallon.mcloughlin@alstom.com

Aline Besselièvre (Alstom Grid) – Tel: +33 1 49 01 67 60; aline.besselievre@alstom.com

Elizabeth Wang (Alstom Grid) – Tel: +33 1 49 01 61 23; elizabeth.wang-ext@alstom.com

Websites: www.alstom.com; www.alstom.com/grid