VICTORIA, BC, July 20 /PRNewswire/ - As part of a major 2 billion euro
refurbishment program of Ireland's national electricity grid, the Electricity
Supply Board (ESB) of Ireland is upgrading the country's electricity network
with an enterprise energy management ("EEM") system from Victoria, Canada-
based Power Measurement. The Internet-based ION(R) system uses a network of
intelligent energy meters and software to help ESB staff automatically track
and profile electricity transactions at more than 100 metering points around
the country. In addition to simplifying bulk-metering tasks, the system
monitors a range of power quality factors to help improve the overall
efficiency and stability of the grid. According to Tim Hennessy, Meter Asset
Manager for ESB Networks, the ION system is expected to help safeguard
Ireland's national electricity grid by immediately identifying potentially
disruptive conditions before they can cause problems.
    "With over 5,800km of lines and cables serving a hundred high-voltage
transformer stations, we expect this enterprise-wide system to offer
considerable advantages to ESB and its customers across the country," said
Hennessy. "Using the latest web-enabled metering technology, we can monitor
conditions anywhere on the grid to help ensure a secure, reliable supply of
high-quality power."
    Initially, ESB is outfitting each substation with an ION 7600 energy
meter to monitor the cost, quality and reliability of the electricity
delivered through the transformer, and report this information to their head
office as real-time and logged system data. Profile data is sent to a
centrally located server running a third-party data-collection software
application, and asset management information is delivered directly to the ION
Enterprise energy management software. While monitoring power quality
characteristics such as harmonics and voltage fluctuations, each meter also
monitors compliance with the European EN 50160 voltage standard.
    Scheduled for completion within 2004, ESB's enterprise energy management
system is being implemented through Premium Power (http://www.premiumpower.ie) and
C-Matic Systems (http://www.cmatic.co.uk).

    About ESB: Founded in 1927, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is a
statutory corporation in the Republic of Ireland. A vertically integrated
utility, ESB includes a number of divisions: ESB Power Generation operates 19
major power stations covering hydro-electric generation, and stations powered
by coal, oil, gas and peat. ESB Customer Supply is a major supplier of power
to final domestic and business customers. ESB Networks is the owner of the
high voltage transmission system, and the owner/operator of the medium and
lower voltage distribution system, providing services to all 1.7 million
electricity customers and all generators and suppliers of electricity in the
Republic of Ireland. (http://www.esb.ie)

    About Power Measurement: Power Measurement is a leading provider of
enterprise energy management systems for energy suppliers and consumers
worldwide. The company's ION(R) web-ready software and intelligent energy
meters help businesses improve power quality, reduce energy costs and keep
operations running enterprise-wide, 24 hours a day. (http://www.pwrm.com)

    For more information
    Power Measurement
    Media Relations
    Tel: 250-652-7100
    Fax: 250-652-0411
    pr@pwrm.com

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