Alstom works with Microsoft to launch high-performance
solutions for the power industry

This collaboration will incorporate leading-edge
technologies to power the next generation of innovation in
power plant solutions. The initiative will introduce Microsoft
technology into the heart of Alstoms software product
development, placing the company at the forefront of IT
solutions for the power industry while increasing
Microsofts strong presence as a provider of computer
technologies to end users.

Alstom has chosen to work with Microsoft because of the
innovation in its products and technologies as well as its
proven performance, scalability, built-in security, speed and
ease of development.

Alstom and Microsoft will collaborate in three areas:

• Research and development in IT and power generation
  control platforms, both for conventional and renewable
  energy
• Marketing of both companies products, including
  joint sales activities and communications programmes
• Joint business initiatives to accelerate the integration
  of third-party software applications.

The first applications will allow the power plant control
system to be integrated with business IT applications, thus
perfecting power plant operation and maintenance. For end
users, this means increased ease of application and
significantly improved accuracy in decision-making. The use of
Microsoft technologies will allow easier integration into IT
applications in areas such as condition monitoring, plant
simulation, trading and risk, and metering and settlements.

Laurent Demortier, Senior Vice President of EMB, commented:
As an example, this new infrastructure will allow power
plant operators to tie in their real-time plant scheduling
decisions with wholesale power and carbon markets.

Alstom sees Microsoft technology as a strategic facilitator
for future smart grid** and smart power environments. Jon
Arnold, managing director, Microsoft Worldwide Utilities
Industry said: We are delighted to work with Alstom and
share a vision of the innovation needed to create the smart
energy ecosystem of the future that will help address issues
like resource adequacy and operational efficiency as well as
environmental concerns.

This initiative will allow Alstom and Microsoft to
focus their expertise on developing innovative IT solutions for
the power industry and, in the future, link all grid resources
in a single harmonized environment, said Demortier.

The first implementations based on the new and expanded use
of the Microsoft platform will be at Alstoms Fujairah
(UAE) and Flevo (Netherlands) power plants before the end of
this year.

* EMB perfects the operational flexibility of a power plant
through automation & control systems and software
applications.

** A smart grid delivers electricity from suppliers to
consumers using digital technology to save energy and cost.
Many governments are promoting such upgraded electricity
networks in order to address energy independence or global
warming issues