Feb 18, 2025 | Reliability
For PPL Electric Utilities Engineers Miguel Mendoza, Chris Jarrah, Amr El Hakim and their teams, future-proofing the electric grid goes well beyond new technology or software. It means combining innovative thinking, a problem-solving outlook and always keeping the real-world impact in mind, which for them means that when the switch is flipped, the power goes on.
PPL Electric engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation to modernize the grid, enhance reliability and ensure a more secure and efficient electric system for our customers. As we celebrate National Engineers Week, we’re spotlighting a groundbreaking project that demonstrates the critical role engineers play in shaping the future of energy: Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) Management.
IEDs are important components within substations that enable automation, real-time monitoring and remote operations that keep our electric grid running smoothly. However, as technology evolves, it’s critical to have an efficient and scalable system to remotely manage, configure and update these devices. That’s where IED Management comes in.
This innovative project — being worked on by Mendoza, Jarrah, El Hakim and their teams — focuses on replacing outdated substation technology with a next-generation IED Management solution. The goal? To enhance system security, improve operational efficiency and future-proof our grid infrastructure. The impact of this project extends beyond just technology upgrades. It also directly benefits our customers by improving reliability, reducing outages and lowering operational costs. With real-time remote troubleshooting and automated updates, PPL Electric can respond to issues faster and with fewer onsite visits. Additionally, these updates make our grid more resilient, ensuring a safer and more secure electric system.
“This project revolutionizes the way we manage and secure our substations,” Jarrah said. “By automating critical tasks, we’re enhancing safety and boosting efficiency. It’s a significant step toward a more modern, resilient electric grid as we continue to build the utility of the future.”
For engineers like Miguel, this project represents the perfect blend of innovation, problem-solving and real-world impact. IED Management is more than just upgrading technology — it’s about securing the future of our electric grid and making a tangible difference for the communities we serve.
“This project is exciting because it combines innovation with practical engineering solutions to modernize the grid,” Mendoza said. “It’s fulfilling to contribute to something that directly enhances reliability and efficiency for our customers.”
At PPL Electric, we know that the future of energy depends on the brilliant minds of our engineers. Projects like IED Management showcase how engineering connects cutting-edge technology with real-world applications, solving challenges in security, compliance and operational efficiency. For those considering a career in engineering, this work is an example of how you can be at the forefront of powering the future. We’re proud to celebrate our engineers, whose dedication, expertise and innovation drive our mission forward every day.
Do you want to engineer the utility of the future? PPL Electric offers a variety of exciting careers in engineering. Explore current opportunities and join an exceptionally brilliant team by visiting pplweb.com/careers.
Feb 14, 2025 | Safety and Security
What occurred?
In June 2023, a third-party vendor notified PPL Electric Utilities that the vendor was impacted by a widespread breach of the MOVEit file transfer software that they and thousands of organizations use. Please know, the initial MOVEit software vulnerability was resolved by the vendor in 2023.
Importantly, data exposed did not include banking or credit card information, social security numbers or account passwords, as no such information is shared with this vendor. It did not extend beyond basic information such as name, address, phone number, email address and utility account number.
This issue is completely unrelated to PPL’s systems and critical infrastructure across all our service areas.
Why are you hearing about this now?
While no sensitive information was released, we are communicating with you as recent media reports may cause concern or confusion.
If you use an identity theft or dark web monitoring service, you may receive an alert that your data was exposed. Please be assured, no banking or credit card information, social security numbers or account passwords were exposed.
What can you do?
As always, we urge you to stay vigilant and always be on the lookout for scams. A few tips to keep in mind:
PPL will never:
- Demand immediate payment through phone, email, or in person.
- Request personal financial information, such as credit/debit card or checking account numbers.
- Require payment using prepaid cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers via third-party payment apps.
- Threaten to shut off your service unless immediate payment is made.
If You Suspect a Scam:
- Stop and Think: Pause before making any payment or sharing personal information.
- Contact Authorities: Report the scam to your local police department or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Report to PPL Electric Utilities: Call 1-800-342-5775 to report the scam attempt.
For more scam prevention tips, visit our website.
May 30, 2024 | Storms and Outages
Summer is on the horizon, which often means severe weather, including thunder and lightning. But even with the best preparation, storms or lightning strikes may cause outages. We’re prepared to respond to any storms that hit our area this summer and always. And if outages occur, we’ll work around the clock as safely and quickly as possible to get your lights back on.
Watch this video to learn more about how we prepare.
We want you and your family to be prepared for storms as well.
Here are a few tips to stay safe during summer storms.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Did you know: According to the National Weather Service, lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times per year?
If the sky looks threatening or you hear thunder, even in the distance, immediately seek shelter. The safest place during a thunder and lightning storm is in an enclosed permanent building or metal-topped vehicle with all doors and windows closed. Outdoor tents or gazebos will not keep you safe from a lightning strike.
Before a storm:
- Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, medication, flashlights and pet supplies.
- Charge your phones and devices.
- Purchase power strips with lightning arrestors or surge protectors for your appliances and electronics.
- Adjust your alert preferences to stay informed in case of an outage at pplelectric.com/alerts.
During a storm:
- Stay away from utility poles and metal conductors.
- Electric and plumbing equipment may carry lightning current. Avoid using any appliances or electronics plugged into an electrical outlet.
- Don’t use water to wash dishes or take a shower.
- Stay away from windows and doors.
- Report an outage, or check the status of an outage, at pplelectric.com/outage.
- And finally, remember to stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after thunder stops.
Source: lightningsafetycouncil.org
Sep 7, 2023 | Safety and Security
September is National Preparedness Month, and amid an active storm season, we encourage you to plan ahead so you’re ready if an emergency strikes.
“This year, we have already experienced 36 storms across the regions we serve,” said Sal Salet, vice president of Distribution Operations. “While we continually maintain and upgrade our grid to better withstand more severe storms, we recommend all of our customers plan ahead to be ready for any emergency.”
Here are a few steps to get you started:
- Make a plan: Develop an emergency plan including everyone in your household so you’ll know how and where to meet, how you’ll contact each other and what to do in different situations.
- Be prepared: Prepare an emergency kit, including non-perishable food, water, medication, first aid supplies and any pet supplies you may need. Also include batteries and battery-operated flashlights. Store your emergency kit in one location that’s easy for everyone to find and preferably in an air-tight container.
- Stay Informed: We use several ways to communicate before storms and during emergencies. One way to stay informed is through alerts. Sign into your online account and adjust your alert preferences at pplelectric.com/alerts. You can choose to receive a phone call, email, or text message for status updates about an outage. For more tips on reporting outages and staying safe during a storm, visit pplelectric.com/outage.
We also take storm-prep very seriously and constantly prepare for emergencies. Here are a few things we do to prevent outages:
- Ongoing investments: Throughout the year, we make key investments to strengthen our electric system to be more resilient against severe weather. This work includes investments in grid automation, comprehensive line clearing and enhancements to power lines, poles, and other equipment. Since 2015, our smart grid technology alone has avoided more than 1.7 million outages.
- Training and safety measures: Our teams are constantly training on storm-response techniques and practicing how we respond and dispatch crews. Leading up to severe weather, our team monitors the weather and its impact across surrounding regions so we already have crews ready to respond when the storm hits.
- Mutual response: We maintain mutual assistance relationships that provide access to critical resources and hundreds of crews in 29 states and four provinces in Canada when mobilizing for potential large-scale restoration efforts.
“Our customers are always top priority,” said Salet. “That remains true whether we are restoring power after a storm or planning investments to our grid.”
Don’t wait for a storm to hit. Use National Preparedness Month as a reminder to make a plan, create a kit and be prepared for any type of emergency. Stay safe!
May 24, 2023 | Reliability, Storms and Outages
As summer approaches, so does the start of the summer storm season.
We want you to know we’re prepared to continue delivering safe and reliable service in all kinds of weather.
One way we keep the lights on during storms is through the investments we’ve made in our Smart Grid. If an outage occurs, our self-healing grid can sense the problem and automatically reroute power to restore as many customers as possible, almost instantly. This technology — along with replacing older equipment, upgrading to storm-resistant poles and wires and using data to proactively trim trees before they fall on wires — helps us reduce outages and respond quicker if an outage occurs.
We’ve also made it easier than ever to stay informed. You can customize your outage alerts to receive a phone call, text message or email with updates on repair crew status and estimated restoration times if you lose power. You can customize those alerts and also sign up for billing and payment alerts on our Alert Preferences page.
Even with the best preparation and information, storms and severe weather can cause damage and result in outages. We keep our outage map updated with real-time information on outage causes and estimated restoration times. If your power goes out, you can help us by reporting your outage in a few simple steps on our Outages and Issues page.
No matter what Mother Nature throws our way, we’ll be ready. And, our crews will be there to work as safely and quickly as possible to restore power if needed.
