ATLANTA, Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company, along with Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company (LG&E and KU), PPL Electric Utilities and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), today announced a new initiative designed to enhance the resiliency and reliability of the power grid by providing additional sources for obtaining critical equipment following disastrous events.
The initiative – known as RESTORE, or Regional Equipment Sharing for Transmission Outage Restoration – will establish a voluntary program where participants identify spare transformers and other transmission equipment that would be made available for purchase by other participants should they experience a widespread disaster or physical attack within their service area.
"Utility partnerships are critical to successful recovery following disaster situations," Southern Company Chief Transmission Officer Billy Ball said. "Southern Company has a history of helping our neighbors in times of need, and the RESTORE program will continue that legacy while preparing for the threats facing the grid today. This joint effort is intended to not only strengthen overall grid resiliency, but also benefit the customers we serve by adding flexibility to our recovery plans."
"Just as our electric distribution-focused mutual assistance partnerships have played a critical role in helping to mitigate the impact of natural disasters or other types of emergencies on the systems of partnership participants and their customers, we believe the RESTORE initiative will prove just as beneficial to the electric transmission system and power grid as a whole," LG&E and KU Vice President of Transmission Tom Jessee said. "Establishing these types of relationships and being able to call on neighboring utilities at a moment's notice will mean a more efficient response and expedited recovery when experiencing these types of emergencies."
"Availability of equipment and timely delivery are often critical to successful restoration during disaster recovery," TVA Senior Vice President of Transmission and Power Delivery Bob Dalrymple said. "TVA is always looking for opportunities to continue and improve our mission of service to the people of the Tennessee Valley and our neighbors. The RESTORE program provides an opportunity for utilities to join together and work for the common good of the region and overall resilience of the transmission grid."
"At PPL, we continue to pursue solutions to maintain the safety and security of the power grid, and to address any issues related to the reliability of our nation's power supply," PPL Electric Utilities Vice President of Transmission and Substations Stephanie Raymond said. "Joining a collaborative initiative like RESTORE increases our ability to resolve grid reliability issues to meet the needs of our customers in times of an emergency."
The RESTORE program is intended to expand to include other utilities in the region. The founding companies plan to engage other utilities and transmission owners in their respective regions to discuss their interest in the program. The program would not replace other industry programs or internal sparing processes, but will have a complementary role.
About LG&E and KU
Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve nearly 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 322,000 natural gas and 403,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 546,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.
About PPL Electric Utilities
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.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. For more information visit www.southerncompany.com.
About TVA
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors serving more than 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.
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SOURCE Southern Company