CGI, (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) alongside partner Hydro-Québec, is partnering with UK Power Networks to introduce the Intelligent Maintenance of Electric LineS (MILES) network fault location solution to the UK. CGI has worked with Hydro-Québec for the past 20 years providing industry solutions to one of the largest utilities in Canada. At the heart of MILES is an innovative network fault location algorithm utilising state of the art analytics that has resulted from years of research by Hydro-Quebec and developed by CGI in to a Software as a Service commercial offering. The partners will trial the MILES software’s application on UK Power Networks’ infrastructure as a new Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) project. The initiative will prove the solution’s anticipated operational benefits and role in increasing network reliability through a physical trial.
The solution has been launched as a commercial product in 2018 and has been proven to be effective on North-American electrical networks. During the UK trial, UK Power Networks will be proving the suitability of MILES to deliver even more reliable power supplies for customers by providing accurate fault location insight through the application of advanced analytics, leveraging low cost power quality measurements. MILES will allow UK Power Networks to rapidly detect the location of issues including transient faults, and send engineers to resolve the issue for good. The new solution could help further reduce the number and duration of power cuts on the network which is already 99.9 per cent reliable.
Mark Aston, Senior Vice President, Utilities for CGI in the UK and Australia said: “Detecting transient faults in the network has always been a tricky thing to master. However, MILES has proven to be a reliable service in North America, and the applications for the UK could be groundbreaking.”
Ian Cameron, Head of Customer Service and Innovation from UK Power Networks said: “As the UK’s largest electricity distributor, we are committed to providing exceptional service to all our customers. The MILES solution could help enable us to identify issues on the network even more quickly. If the trial is a success it could provide a scalable and flexible solution at a lower cost. We’re committed to scouring the world to develop and introduce innovations that could help our customers.”
Jean Matte, Senior Director of the Hydro-Québec research Institute said: "We're excited to partner with CGI and UK Power Networks in launching a solution to help transform how utilities address momentary faults in Great Britain. We have been working with CGI for many years, and its extensive information technology/operational technology expertise within the utilities sector, as well as its deep implementation experience, will help UK Power Networks leverage MILES and aim to deliver timely and accurate information on fault locations as well as their probable cause. This data was a fantastic tool to help Canadian networks improve maintenance planning and service deliverability, and we are hopeful of similar success for the UK.”
CGI will begin a six-month trial with UK Power Networks, following the successful theoretical demonstration of the applicability of MILES for electrical distribution network in the UK and six weeks of roll out. The team will be working to smooth out key differences between the UK and North American networks, such as voltage level. The solution will be field tested at a number of sites across the South East of England.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 76,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com
About UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks is the country’s biggest electricity distributor, making sure the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.
Network operators aren’t the same as energy suppliers; network operators manage local power lines and substations, while energy suppliers sell the electricity that runs through the power lines.
UK Power Networks continues to be listed in the Sunday Times’ Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For, and made industry history by becoming first company to win Utility of the Year two years running (2015 and 2016, also 2012).
The company invests more than £600 million in its electricity networks every year, offers extra help to vulnerable customers at times of need, and is undertaking trials to ensure that electricity networks support the transition to a low carbon future. It also moves cables and connects new electricity supplies. If you have a power cut ring 105, see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk or tweet us @UKPowerNetworks
About Hydro-Quebec
Hydro-Québec generates, transmits and distributes electricity. It is Canada’s largest electricity producer and ranks among the world’s largest hydropower producers. Its sole shareholder is the Québec government. The company uses mainly renewable generating options, in particular large hydro. Its research facilities, collectively called Institut de recherche d’Hydro-Québec (IREQ), conduct R&D in energy-related fields, including energy efficiency and storage.
To find out more: http://www.hydroquebec.com
For more information
Paul Butler
External Communications Manager
p.butler@cgi.com
07920 784199
Hydro-Quebec
Jonathan Côté
Media Relations and Corporate Communications
001 514 289-3227
cote.jonathan2@hydroquebec.com
