American Electric Power and Edison International Awarded EEI's 2017 Edison Award

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Jun 13, 2017, 18:15 ET

BOSTON, June 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Electric Power (AEP) and Edison International today received the Edison Electric Institute's (EEI's) 2017 Edison Award, the electric power industry's most prestigious honor. A panel of former energy company chief executives selected AEP and Edison International for the 89th annual award from a group of distinguished finalists.

AEP received the 2017 Edison Award for its patented Breakthrough Overhead Line Design (BOLD), an innovative new concept in transmission line design. The AEP team was challenged to push the envelope to innovate and develop a transformative improvement in the way energy is delivered. Engineers aimed to develop a high-capacity, high-efficiency, cost-effective solution with minimal public impact. The resulting BOLD transformational line design delivers more capacity and higher efficiency than previously possible.

"Our industry is making important investments in innovative new technologies that are helping to improve reliability, energy grid resiliency, and services for customers," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "AEP's BOLD project is another great example of the industry implementing innovative solutions. The BOLD technology is a transformational line design for the electric power industry, increasing efficiency and reliability. Congratulations to the outstanding team at AEP for their terrific achievement in earning the 2017 Edison Award."

Edison International and its Southern California Edison (SCE) subsidiary earned the 2017 Edison Award for leading the construction of the world's first hybrid battery and natural gas turbine power plants. The Hybrid Enhanced Gas Turbines are fully operational at SCE's Center Peaker Plant in Norwalk and Grapeland Peaker in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The enhanced natural gas turbines have achieved unprecedented levels of operational flexibility and are capable of responding to electric system needs instantaneously, while at the same time reducing operating costs and emissions.

"Southern California Edison's innovative Hybrid Enhanced Gas Turbine is a tremendous accomplishment that exemplifies the industry's commitment to finding innovative solutions for customers," said Kuhn. "This project's unique design, which lowers emissions and improves efficiency, will set a precedent in the industry. The SCE team is truly deserving of the 2017 Edison Award."

Video overviews of both AEP's Breakthrough Overhead Line Design and SCE's Battery and Gas Turbine Hybrid are available online.

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 60 international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

SOURCE Edison Electric Institute