PPL Electric wins industry award for distribution system tool

Allentown-based PPL Electric Utilities announced it won a 2021 Technology Transfer Award from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

EPRI recognized PPL Electric’s Distribution Protection Assessment Tool (DPAT) which automates processes, in turn increasing the overall safety, reliability and efficiency of the electric grid. The institute’s Technology Transfer Awards recognize industry leaders and innovators who work to improve efficiency, enhance equipment and improve security for utility customers.

“This tool will play an important role as we continue to develop a safer, smarter, self-healing grid of the future,” PPL Electric Utilities President Steph Raymond said. “Through innovation, we’ve already built one of the most advanced grids in the nation. Awards like these recognize our continued focus on providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity for our customers.”

PPL Electric used EPRI’s Distribution Protection Assessment Tool to create the automated system as part of a supported partnership. The automated system develops and routinely checks settings on the distribution network, enabling the overall system to work more efficiently and avoid unnecessary disruptions in service.

Additionally, the company said, the tool can be used to identify gaps in settings, as well as in system design and configuration, to clear potential faults from the system. This helps prevent potential safety risks to employees, customers and the public, the company said.

PPL Electric said the DPAT has identified six errors in the system that were immediately sent to engineers to correct, ensuring the overall system worked as intended.