By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

As more renewables are added to the United States’ electrical grid, management of those resources becomes ever more critical. Software that can help utilities integrate more renewables on the grid is becoming ever more critical, and companies that can bring such software to life are leading the way toward a more futuristic, customer-centric grid.

Which is why a new partnership between PPL Electric Utilities and GE is so fascinating.

PPL Electric Utilities and GE Power Digital announced yesterday a joint initiative to develop and test software to manage and control electricity from renewable and stored energy sources.

Planning for, monitoring and controlling DERs while maintaining reliability requires in-depth system knowledge combined with advanced technologies. GE’s DER Orchestration software uses automated and adaptive technologies to manage the impact of distributed generation. GE was recently recognized by IDC MarketScape as a leader in DER management systems.1

PPL will adopt GE’s DER Orchestration and integrate it with the utility’s Advanced Distribution Management Solutions (ADMS). This combination will enable the utility to model and improve grid operations, maintain grid reliability, enhance load forecasting and improve bi-directional communication with DERs. PPL and GE will test the software within the utility’s service territory for assistance with future product development and verification for others within the industry considering DERMs solutions.

Matt Green, chief information officer at PPL, commented, “There will be more change in the electric utility industry over the next 10 years than we have experienced in the prior 100 years. Distributed energy will be everywhere, but we’ll still need the grid. With the proper investments to successfully orchestrate DERs, the grid will become more valuable. Utilities are best positioned to provide the platform of the future and enable emerging technologies to thrive. To accomplish this, we need long-term strategic relationships such as the one we have established with GE.”

Responding to changes in the grid while maintaining reliability is a key focus for PPL. Their investments to date include installing smart grid technology, designing data analytics models to improve equipment maintenance and replacement and installing better protection against damage from lightning strikes. PPL is ranked in the top 10 percent nationally and first in the Mid-Atlantic region in keeping the lights on for its customers, according to system average outage frequency figures from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Reliability is directly related to customer satisfaction. PPL routinely ranks among national leaders in customer satisfaction, according to a noted national study. The study measures utility customer satisfaction by examining key factors, with power quality and reliability having the highest weight.

“Distributed energy brings with it variability that places new stresses on the grid. To address this challenge, new approaches to business and operating models along with advanced software solutions are critical,” said Jeff Wright, vice president of product management for GE Power. “We’re glad to be working directly alongside a forward-thinking utility like PPL. Not only are they focused on innovating for the future, they’re focused on doing it the right way for their customers – safely and reliably.”