Berlin, 24 October 2000 - RWE Net AG, Germany´s largest energy supplier, has awarded PSI a major extension contract. The object is the extension of the current PSI contract for the RWE Control System Project in the networks in the regions southwest and west. In addition, PSI has been awarded the task of extending the previous high-tension control system of the Westphalia (formerly VEW) network region to the network control of the mid-tension network. This means that all high and mid-tension networks in the RWE Net are handled by PSI network control systems.
As a result of the deregulation of the energy market, the utility companies are under great cost pressure which requires reorganization and rationalization. One consequence is the streamlining provided by computer-aided control of electrical grids and the concentration of this in a few control centers.
To be able to economically manage the very large networks that result, requires a powerful network control system, which is also able to meet the challenges of the future. This means that the new, concentrated control technology has taken on a strategic meaning as an important component of the corporate management. PSI control systems provide a proper platform for this.
A decisive factor in awarding the contract was, along with the technical criteria, the experience that SI has gained in implementing previous RWE projects. As a prerequisite for the mandatory planning security, price and deadline commitment are particularly important.
The entire volume of the three additional contracts is DM 30 million. This helps PSI to continue to expand its leading positions in the energy management systems market. Amongst the projects acquired this year in this field are strategic contracts for the Stadtwerke Hannover, BKW Bern and Ruhrgas AG.