AKRON, Ohio, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent, nonprofit center for public interest energy and environmental research, recently named five employees of FirstEnergy Corp. as winners of its annual Technology Transfer and Product Champion awards. These awards recognize major contributions in 2006 by those in the industry toward the successful development and implementation of EPRI solutions to address the challenges of electric power through strategic research initiatives.
"Our employees have demonstrated leadership in applying EPRI technology and information to help deliver safer and more reliable electricity to our customers," said Richard R. Grigg, executive vice president and chief operating officer of FirstEnergy. "I am very proud of the employees who were recognized by EPRI for their outstanding achievements, and especially pleased that we were among the top utilities in the country receiving awards."
The FirstEnergy winners include: -- Robert E. Donnellon, manager, Nuclear Industry Relations, FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC), earned a Technology Transfer Award for implementing and managing a process that is an industry benchmark for engagement in the EPRI Nuclear Program. -- Daniel B. Patten, principal consultant, FENOC, earned a Technology Transfer Award for developing guidelines for weld overlay repairs of nuclear plant components during outages. -- Ronald D. Lawrence, manager, Generation Support, FirstEnergy Generation Corp., earned a Technology Transfer Award for leading the application of an analysis that optimizes maintenance planning and generation plant availability. -- Carl J. Bridenbaugh, director, Transmission Planning & Protection, FirstEnergy Service Company, earned a Product Champion Award for outstanding support of EPRI's programs in grid operations and planning, wide-area power systems, and increased use of transmission corridors. -- Calvin C. Hoppe, director, Transmission Maintenance, FirstEnergy Service Company, earned a Product Champion Award for leadership in developing innovative live-line transmission maintenance practices, including aerial applications for spacer replacement, insulator inspections, and conductor integrity assessments.
"The key to successfully utilizing EPRI's research is technology transfer, which is the process of an electric utility applying its research results," said Mike Howard, EPRI's senior vice president, Research and Development. "We applaud these individuals and all of those who advance this concept."
FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its subsidiaries and affiliates are involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services. Its seven electric utility operating companies comprise the nation's fifth largest investor-owned electric system based on serving 4.5 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; and its generation subsidiaries control more than 14,000 megawatts of capacity.
FirstEnergy Corp.
CONTACT: Mark H. Durbin of FirstEnergy Corp., +1-330-761-4365
