2001

Launch of RestorePower™ provides power outage restoration at e-speed - 06 March 2001

Customers will benefit from Web technology allowing utilities and industry contractors to pool resources to restore power quickly nationwide

Washington, DC - March 6, 2001 - With the support of North America's leading electric utilities, the Edison Electric Institute and PA Consulting Group have launched RestorePower, a specialized Internet portal that assists electricity providers in restoring power faster when unforeseen outages occur. The site harnesses the speed and reach of the Internet to help emergency restoration managers locate and mobilize thousands of repair personnel and equipment by using an interactive database of utility resources accessible at any time from any location.

RestorePower builds on the industry's tradition of mutual assistance through the accessibility, speed and customization of the Internet by bringing together utilities, contractors and vendors to create a community focused on restoring service to the customer. The site allows subscribers to manage information about their company, perform searches to identify an assisting company with similar capabilities and provides restoration managers with a broad band of communication tools for seeking resources.

John Sherrod, director of system outage response at Entergy, one of RestorePower's founding subscribers, points out:

"RestorePower offers a tremendous opportunity to all participants to effect quicker, more efficient restoration, while helping control the tremendous expense involved in proactively securing outside resources during major emergencies. It has a tremendous potential to assist with events like the ice storms we recently faced in Arkansas and Louisiana that will only be maximized with the active involvement of all utility industry players."

Richard Chambliss, Jr., manager of electric system operations and planning at Baltimore Gas & Electric, another founding subscriber, explains:

"Quickly identifying, contacting and mobilizing the right resources will save hours and, after Mother Nature's worst, even days, in restoring service to our customers."

The other founding subscribers include Florida Power & Light, Cleco, Pepco, Conectiv, Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), PPL Utilities, Central Vermont Public Service, Madison Gas & Electric, Orlando Utilities Commission, and Detroit Edison as well as founding contractors Red Simpson, MYR Group and Dillard Smith. The project covers service territories in over 16 states, and development will continue in North America well after the site's official launch.

In the words of Patrick Downes, vice president of delivery operations support at PSE&G in Newark, NJ:

"Mutual assistance has been the hallmark of our industry. As we move forward into the next century, RestorePower will use the Internet to take emergency response to the next level."

Keith White, manager of logistical support at Florida Power & Light, stated:

"We continue to aggressively pursue broad-based Internet supply chain solutions and we believe that in the area of mutual assistance the unique capabilities of RestorePower offer a powerful tool for providing rapid response to our customers."

According to Derek HasBrouck, RestorePower general manager and member of PA's management:

"RestorePower is positioned to be a tool for transmission and distribution asset owners that will allow them to take advantage of the real-time functionality of the Internet. We plan to continue building the site to ensure faster restoration through additional features such as online contracting capabilities. Of course, the site's full potential rests with the active involvement of all industry players – the more members we have, the larger the pool of resources available."

For more information, please contact:

Derek HasBrouck PA Consulting Group The Chrysler Building 405 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10174 United States Tel: +1 212 973 5982 Fax: +1 212 973 5959 E-mail: derek.hasbrouck@paconsulting.com

Notes to editors

The Edison Electric Institute is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies, international affiliates and industry associates worldwide. Our U.S. members serve over 90 percent of all customers served by the shareholder-owned segment of the industry. They generate approximately three-quarters of all the electricity generated by the electric companies in the country and service about 70 percent of all ultimate customers in the nation. EEI's mission focuses on advocating public policy, expanding market opportunities, and providing strategic business information.

PA Consulting Group is a leading management, systems and technology consulting firm, with a unique combination of these capabilities. Established almost 60 years ago, and operating worldwide from over 40 offices in more than 20 countries, PA draws on the knowledge and experience of some 3,400 people, whose skills span the initial generation of ideas and insights all the way through to detailed implementation.

PA builds strategies for the creation and capture of shareholder and customer value, and helps clients accelerate business growth through innovation and the application of technology. PA works with clients to improve performance, mobilize human resources and deliver change effectively, including managing major projects, and designing and implementing enterprise-wide systems and full e-business solutions.

PA focuses on creating benefits for clients rather than merely proposing them, and this focus is supported by an outstanding implementation track record in every major industry and for governments around the world. PA also develops leading-edge technology both for its clients and within its own portfolio of venture companies in areas ranging from software to wireless technology to life sciences.

PA distinguishes itself from its competitors through the range and quality of its people, the depth of its industry insight, its development and use of technology, and also its independence and culture of respect, collaboration and flexibility in working with clients.

We are proud that our clients say "PA makes it happen".

  |  Previous  |    |  Next  |