Dominion Voltage Inc., a grid optimization subsidiary of Dominion Resources, Inc. (NYSE: D), today announced that following a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Dominion won a jury verdict against Alstom Grid, Inc.
The jury unanimously found that Alstom Grid infringed a Dominion-owned patent (U.S. Patent No. 8,437,883 “the patent”), claiming an invention that improves grid efficiency through the use of smart meters and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for the process of conservation voltage reduction. The patent is one of several patents protecting DVI’s EDGE® product family, an industry leading Volt/VAR optimization solution currently in use by 12 utilities in North America.
The jury also unanimously found that the patent is valid and that Alstom Grid willfully induced infringement through the installation of its distribution management system at a customer location.
In addition, Alstom’s petitions to challenge the validity of Dominion’s patent 8,437,883 and 8,577,510 were denied by the U.S Patent and Trademark Office.
“We are extremely pleased with the federal jury’s ruling, which affirms DVI’s position that it has very strong patents protecting EDGE®,” said Todd Headlee, executive director of DVI. “Dominion’s significant investment and focus on smart grid innovation have been key to our success in the development of patented, industry leading solutions. We are committed to taking any action necessary to protect these valuable investments.”
Dominion was represented by Jeffrey K. Sherwood and Salvatore P. Tamburo of Blank Rome LLP.
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