EEI Announces Finalists for 2017 Edison Award

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May 02, 2017, 14:59 ET

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four U.S. and three international electric companies have been named as finalists for the Edison Electric Institute's (EEI's) 2017 Edison Award. Since 1922, the Edison Award has recognized electric companies for their distinguished leadership, innovation, and contribution to the advancement of the electric power industry. It is regarded as the industry's most prestigious honor.

In February, an independent panel of reviewers met to evaluate the nominations and selected American Electric Power, Arizona Public Service Company, Edison International, and Westar Energy as finalists for this year's U.S. Edison Award. Jamaica Public Service, Ontario Power Generation, and Tohoku Electric Power were named finalists for the International Edison Award.

"Rapid transformation is taking place throughout the electric power industry, and innovation is a key component to delivering the safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy that our customers need and expect," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "This year's Edison Award finalists each have created new, original energy solutions, as well as sustainable plans to implement them, and are leading our industry in delivering the energy future our customers want."

A panel of former electric company chief executives will select the winners for the 90^th annual Edison Award, which will be presented in June at the EEI Annual Convention in Boston.

U.S. Edison Award Finalists

American Electric Power (AEP) – In just five years, AEP engineers created an innovative new transmission line design called the Breakthrough Overhead Line Design (BOLD). BOLD is the most transformational line design in almost 50 years – delivering more capacity and higher efficiency in a compact, aesthetic form.

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) – APS's Solar Partner Program has broken new ground in the industry by using advanced grid technologies to enable the continued growth of distributed generation, while developing a business model to make rooftop solar available to customers, regardless of income or credit level. The company placed 10-megawatts of rooftop solar panels on the homes of 1,600 customers, and successfully deployed advanced inverters and developed other technologies to manage power quality and reliability issues.

Edison International – Southern California Edison built the world's first battery and natural gas turbine hybrid system at two existing peaker power plant sites in collaboration with its strategic partners. These Hybrid Enhanced Gas Turbines have achieved unprecedented levels of operational flexibility and are capable of responding instantaneously to electric system needs while reducing emissions and operating costs.

Westar Energy – Westar Energy developed the world's first mobile and adjustable-voltage transformer in order to enhance energy grid resiliency. This transformer can be moved on ordinary semi-trucks and provides 80-percent coverage of critical transformers on the company's transmission system, with the ability to be in place and in operation in a matter of days.

International Edison Award Finalists

Jamaica Public Service – In 2016, Jamaica Public Service worked closely with both internal and external stakeholders to build consensus and execute on its plan to convert the Bogue Power Station from diesel fuel to liquefied natural gas. This was a milestone achievement for Jamaica, as LNG forms an integral part of the country's fuel diversification strategy, and significantly advances JPS' efforts to lower fuel costs and reduce emissions.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) – Following the closure of the last of its coal generating stations in 2014, OPG made significant investments in 2016 with a series of complex and diverse initiatives in pursuit of a lower carbon future. This included a pumped storage project, a groundbreaking nuclear refurbishment, hydroelectric developments, and Indigenous partnerships. Today, OPG is Ontario's largest low-cost clean power generator.

Tohoku Electric Power – Tohoku Electric Power's Shin-Sendai Thermal Power Station was severely damaged following the 2011 earthquake that struck Japan. Since the earthquake, Tohoku Electric Power has invested in plant reconstruction and revitalization and development in the disaster-affected areas. As a result, the company has reduced its fuel costs and emissions, increased efficiency, formulated new disaster countermeasures, and accelerated overall efforts to restore and serve local communities.

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