FPL recognized for innovative approach to Florida's electric grid

Industry website selects FPL for utilizing state-of-the-art technology for a smarter, more responsive grid

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May 15, 2015, 10:00 ET

JUNO BEACH, Fla., May 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has been named to the Grid Edge 20 – the top 20 companies in the nation that are transforming the energy industry – by Greentech Media. FPL was singled out for its industry-leading approach to the grid, using technology to better manage the electric system and deliver reliable service that ranks among the best in the nation.

"The electric grid, which was designed and built across the United States many years ago, has remained largely unchanged for decades," said Manny Miranda, vice president of power delivery for FPL. "During the past few years, however, we've made – and we continue to make – significant improvements by integrating advanced technology to make the grid much stronger and smarter. Through innovative solutions such as smart meters and automation devices, we have greater awareness of the performance of FPL's grid, one of the most advanced systems in the nation, enabling us to improve electric reliability for our customers."

FPL embarked upon its system modernization in 2010 through the installation of 4.7 million smart meters, funded in part by a $200 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Since then, FPL has invested an additional $600 million, installing more than 12,000 smart devices and thousands of sensors and monitors on transformers, breakers and battery banks. The company is also investing in digital microprocessor technology that provides real-time telemetry and fault information – helping the company quickly identify and locate potential causes of outages.

The Grid Edge 20 award showcases companies for their contributions to grid edge technology transformation through new products, disruptive strategies and a forward-looking vision. Awardees were nominated and voted on by a network of energy industry stakeholders, including more than 75 member companies.

Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving approximately 4.8 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and, in 2014, was the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities for the fifth year in a row. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2014 as the most trusted U.S. electric utility by Market Strategies International, and has earned the national ServiceOne Award for outstanding customer service for an unprecedented 10 consecutive years. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, including being ranked in the top 10 worldwide for innovativeness and community responsibility as part of Fortune's 2015 list of "World's Most Admired Companies." NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

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SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company