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ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Feb. 20, 2020) -- PPL Electric Utilities recently received a prestigious Technology Transfer Award from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for its achievements in collaborative research and development related to downed power lines.
PPL was honored for testing and validation of advanced approaches for detecting live downed lines.
EPRI supported PPL in applying high-impedance fault detection technology to its distribution system, successfully demonstrating the ability to detect downed power lines. The detection system is in place in about 3,100 relays on the PPL grid.
PPL has also developed a system that works in concert with fault detection to safely and automatically cut power to downed lines. There were four successful operations of that system in 2019. The automatic tripping capability is now deployed on 1,500 devices on the PPL grid.  PPL intends to expand the technology across its entire distribution grid over the next several years.
“Innovation is a key ingredient in providing a safer, stronger and more resilient grid for our customers,” said Steph Raymond, PPL’s vice president for Distribution Operations. “We thank EPRI for recognizing our commitment to safety and reliability and for partnering with us on research and development.”
Presented annually, EPRI’s Technology Transfer Awards recognize industry leaders and innovators who help companies transform research into results and solutions that can improve the efficiency of power plants, harden transmission and distribution equipment, improve cybersecurity, and enhance end-use electrification – all for the end-benefit of utility customers.
“The 2019 Technology Transfer Award recipients lead by example, elevating the societal value of EPRI’s collaborative R&D by deploying advanced energy technologies across the power industry,” said EPRI President Arshad Mansoor. “Their contributions are essential to transforming electricity generation, delivery, and use for the benefit of energy customers around the world.”
PPL accepted the award Feb. 11 during the EPRI Power Delivery and Utilization winter advisory meetings in Dallas, Texas.
About EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, affordability, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent approximately 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to nearly 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, NC; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.
PPL Electric Utilities provides electric delivery service to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses in Pennsylvania and ranks among the best utility companies in the country for customer service and reliability. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer in the communities it serves. It is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL). For more information visit www.pplelectric.com.