Allentown, Pa.-based PPL Electric Utilities announced Tuesday it is garnering national attention with its innovative technology, Dynamic Line Rating (DLR).
The first-of-its-kind technology integrates DLR into real-time and market operations by using sensors to provide condition information to the company. Factors like wind speed and line temperature can affect line performance of transmission lines, the company said, and information from the sensors can be used to increase the amount of electricity delivered over transmission lines when needed, which can decrease congestion and improve reliability. The sensors send hourly, day-ahead forecasts generated from the DLR system to PJM Interconnection in order to better coordinate efficient generation and ensure reliability, the company said.
PPL was recently recognized for its use of the technology. Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and Southeastern Electric Exchange (S.E.E.) have both honored PPL Electric. EEI honored PPL Electric with its 2023 Edison Award. S.E.E. awarded the company with an Industry Excellence Award for the transmission line innovation.
“We’re honored and delighted to receive these significant honors and we’re equally proud to be the first electric company in the U.S to use Dynamic Line Rating in this way,” said PPL Electric Utilities President Steph Raymond. “This achievement represents our commitment to explore innovative ways of delivering safe, reliable and affordable power to our customers.”
Using DLR technology this way is a shift from current uses, the company said. While most companies have used static line ratings calculated based on assumptions and the type of power-transmitting conductor used on the transmission line, the DLR sensors provide a more dynamic and accurate rating that allows PPL to better manage line conditions and congestion.
“Having real-time measurements allows PPL Electric to optimize performance on transmission lines and make better informed decisions about the need for improvements to those lines,” said PPL Electric Utilities Director of Asset Management Joe Lookup. “The end result is lower generation costs and better reliability for customers.”