EPRI Unveils Initiative to Improve Transmission System Efficiency

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) disclosed plans today for an
industry-wide "transmission efficiency" demonstration collaborative that will
identify technologies leading to greater efficiency in the bulk power system, an
increase in system utilization and a reduction in line and equipment losses.

The initiative`s goal is to improve efficiency and stem losses of electricity
that would otherwise flow to the end user. T&D losses account for about 300
billion kilowatthours in the United States, and reducing such losses will allow
utilities to generate less power and thereby lower the industry`s carbon
footprint.

The collaborative is outgrowth of efforts by EPRI, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC), independent system operators and leading utilities to
identify and implement best practices in the United States and abroad to make
transmission systems more efficient.

"Improving the technology and efficiency of the transmission system is a key
component in developing a smarter national grid," said Arshad Mansoor, Vice
President of EPRI`s Power Delivery and Utilization sector. "This collaborative
will go hand-in-hand with on-going efforts to extract new efficiencies - from
generation to end-use - throughout the entire industry."

The initiative comes on the heels of six meetings by key stakeholders in the
United States and one in Poland that identified the best practices and the
technology improvements necessary to bolster bulk power efficiency. In August,
an executive committee of those stakeholders approved the recommendations during
a Washington meeting hosted by FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff.

"This is a timely initiative in that it comes as the government and industry
work together to improve the efficiency of the transmission system," said
Wellinghoff. "Clearly, implementing new technologies on the bulk power system
would benefit both the industry and consumers, while at the same time, reducing
the sector`s carbon footprint."

About the Electric Power Research Institute

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, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's
members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and
delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40
countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto,
Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.

EPRI
Clay C. Perry, 202-293-6184
Senior Media Relations Manager
clperry@epri.com
Don Kintner, Jr., 704-595-2206
Manager of Communications
dkintner@epri.com

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