​Electric Power Research Institute recognizes an initiative that will help local energy companies expedite response to power outages; one of several award winners from Exelon​

BALTIMORE (Feb. 8, 2018) – The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) recently honored BGE senior engineering tech specialist Jack Edwards with the Technology Transfer Award.  EPRI gives this award annually to utility employees who have explored and implemented innovative technologies on behalf of their company and the industry.  Edwards was part of a team of employees from fellow Exelon companies ComEd, PECO and Pepco Holdings who researched how deploying low-cost sensors on electric distribution poles could assist utilities in responding to outages faster and more efficiently.

"BGE is committed to testing and implementing innovative technologies like these low-cost utility pole sensors that improve our system's reliability," said Derrick Dickens, vice president of technical services for BGE. "I applaud Jack for this well-deserved award and his research which ultimately helps our company provide quality electric service to customers throughout our service area."

Edwards and the Exelon team discovered that the both types of sensors, including one developed by EPRI, could provide exact locations of downed utility poles and alert faster than previous methods, allowing utilities to quickly deploy resources and restore power. Nearly 200 sensors in total were installed as part of this project.

The awards were presented during EPRI's Power Delivery and Utilization (PDU) awards dinner in Coronado, Calif., on Feb. 6.

"The 2017 Technology Transfer Award winners have taken EPRI R&D to new levels to shape and improve an integrated energy network," said Arshad Mansoor, senior vice president of R&D at EPRI. "The commitment and collaboration demonstrated by these individuals and teams not only benefits their companies, but the entire industry as we all have a stake in transforming and integrating the power system."

Ten employees from Exelon's utilities and generation fleet received a total of five awards.

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BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility and headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility. The company's approximately 3,200 employees are committed to safe and reliable power delivery to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. J.D. Power's 2017 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study ^SM ranked BGE highest in customer satisfaction with business electric service in the east among large utilities. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $5 billion of output in its service area, supporting more than 9,500 local jobs and producing $923 million in labor income. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube  and Flickr.

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, affordability, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent approximately 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to more than 30 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, NC; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.