Smart Grid initiatives addressed at Alstom Grids Middle-East Users Group
Smart Grid initiatives addressed at Alstom Grids Middle-East Users Group
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Representatives from 10 electric utility companies in 13 countries in the Near and Middle-East region recently met in Beirut (Lebanon) with Alstom Grid's network management experts and engineers for a regional Middle-East Users Group. At the conference, participants exchanged information and experiences on the latest advances in electric grids development, operation and service, and discovered Alstoms latest Smart Grid solutions and initiatives.
A key topic was the presentation on DRBizNet1, a world leading Demand Response software platform, which integrates and manages the demand-side resources in power utility operations. Some of Alstoms customer experiences in using the software were also featured.
This MEUG, held every year since 2008, provides industry specialists with important feedback and information to further develop different aspects of their national or regional grids. The challenges and constraints faced by these customers contribute to Alstom Grids R&D effort in developing new network management and power electronics solutions, which in turn drive the evolution to regional Smart & Super Grids.
"During the Users Group, our member companies manage almost 60% of the regions electricity generation. It is imperative, therefore, that we ensure that our grid solutions evolve with the needs of our customers, particularly in maximizing network efficiency, said Karim El-Naggar, Vice President, Network Management Solutions.
The participants were also invited to visit in Beirut the National Control Center of EDL (Électricité du Liban), one of the latest state of the art systems, developed and integrated by Alstom. A Smart Grid village, focusing on automation solutions for networks, allowed participants to see how their operational needs could be met with real-time technology demonstrations.
Mr. Saud Al AJMI, Head of computer Section at JABRIYA District control center and chairman of the MEUG said: I have been attending this event since 2008, i.e. from the first Users Group at Qatar, and this year as Users Group chairman, I continue to be amazed at the benefits we receive from coming together to discuss our challenges and successes in managing our network operations. The technology demos are eye-openers; we see how a solution could potentially help us while keeping abreast with the latest trends in network management solutions, especially on Smart Grid.
1Alstom has acquired Utility Integration Solutions, Inc. (UISOL) of Santa Clara, California (USA) in early March 2011. UISOL develops and commercializes DRBizNet and is among the leading utility systems integration specialists. With this acquisition, Alstom Grid strengthens its capabilities for network management and Smart Grid solutions.
About Alstom
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world. It provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in more than 70 countries, and had sales of over 23 billion* in 2009/10. (*Pro forma figures)
Alstom Grid, the newest sector of Alstom, has over 100 years of expertise in electrical grids. Whether for utilities or electro-intensive industries or facilitating the trading of energy, Alstom Grid brings power to their customers projects. Alstom Grid ranks among the top 3 in electrical transmission sector with a sales turnover of approximately 3.5 billion in 2009. It has 20,000 employees and over 90 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide. Its four main business areas are Products, Systems, Automation and Service.
At the heart of the development of Smart Grid, Alstom Grid offers products, services and integrated energy management solutions across the full energy value chainfrom power generation, through transmission and distribution grids and to the large end user.
Press Contacts
Walter Dussaucy (Alstom Grid Middle East) +971 4 292 98 44
Emmanuelle Helleux (Alstom Grid Worldwide) +33 1 49 01 70 87
Website www.grid.alstom.com and www.grid.alstom.com/smartgrid