Smart Grid capabilities in online stability reinforced with the acquisition of IT expert Psymetrix

A long-standing strategic technology partnership is formalised today as Alstom Grid announces the completion of its acquisition of Psymetrix, the UK-based Smart Grid applications company with international expertise in Wide Area Monitoring Systems (WAMS)¹, a key technology segment in the electrical grid control room market.

Psymetrix was created in 1997, and has since established a strong reputation in phasor-based applications² and online stability solutions for grid utilities (TSOs, Transmission System Operators) substations and central systems. With a staff of 10 employees, the company supplies 18 customer utilities worldwide and generated around 2 million in sales in 2010. The company will bring complementary expertise to Alstoms Smart Grid online stability solutions, and will continue to operate from its Edinburgh headquarters, retaining the same staff and its quality products and solutions.

Psymetrix software gives TSOs and power utilities the ability to increase power transfers in their systems and improve the reliability of their networks while decreasing overall system risk. By combining their expertise, Alstom and Psymetrix plan to develop and launch new critical software applications for power electronics, advanced control, substation automation, grid self healing and defense plans, targeting grid utilities as well as power plant operators.

Alstom Grid and Psymetrix have already established a track record of successful joint projects in South Africa and Sweden, providing comprehensive integrated Energy Management System (EMS) and WAMS platforms such as those currently under delivery to Swedish TSO Svenksa Kraftnät. This acquisition further strengthens Alstoms already leading position in the Smart Grid control room market by making Alstom the undisputed leader for grid stabillity solutions. It will allow Alstom and Psymetrix to accelerate their development in the new fast-growing WAMS markets, such as North America and China, from 2011 onwards.

Psymetrixs expertise is a significant step forward toward strengthening Alstoms recognized leadership in the grid control room arena, as our synergy will help build comprehensive Smart Grid online stability and grid defense plan solutions, and develop next generation software applications to manage grid security dynamically both at Transmission and Distribution levels, said Jean-Michel Cornille, Senior Vice-President Automation and Smart Grids, Alstom Grid.

Dr. Jos Trehern, Chief Executive of Psymetrix declared: We have been long-term partners of Alstom Grid and are delighted to have our expertise recognised through this formal agreement. We look forward to working with Alstom to build on our existing successes and to provide increasingly valuable solutions to our customers. 

¹WAMS: software systems that acquire, manage, analyse, monitor and store phasor data from network infrastructures over a wide area 

²Phasor-based applications: applications using phasor data to provide vital information on the dynamic performance and behavior of power systems, helping to avoid blackouts and increase power transfers

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