**Washington**: Alabama Power and E Source receive the U.S. Department of Energy’s Digitizing Utilities Prize for their advanced predictive power mapping system, the Enterprise Graph Database. The $275,000 prize underscores the importance of data analytics in enhancing grid reliability and operational efficiency.
Alabama Power and E Source have been awarded the U.S. Department of Energy’s Digitizing Utilities Prize for their development of an advanced predictive power mapping data system known as the Enterprise Graph Database. This recognition comes with a cash prize of $275,000, including $75,000 from an earlier round of the competition. The prize aims to encourage collaboration between utilities and tech firms to utilize data analytics for enhancing grid reliability.
The Digitizing Utilities Prize, which was launched in October 2023, is part of a DOE initiative designed to address challenges within the electricity sector through innovative data solutions. The Enterprise Graph Database assists Alabama Power in identifying potential issues across its distribution network, allowing for improved operational efficacy and service reliability.
Shane Powell, Director of Data Analytics for Power Delivery at Southern Company, highlighted the critical nature of data innovation in the utility sector, stating, “We are at a key moment in the utility industry where data innovation has made significant progress to meet our needs and goals.” He credited the collaboration with E Source as integral to the project’s success and the broader suite of data initiatives at Alabama Power.
The database’s capabilities include real-time updates and the ability to simulate power flows, which facilitates better decision-making regarding both grid operations and customer-side investments. This represents a shift from traditional annual modelling updates to a more dynamic approach.
Tom Martin, Vice President of Data Science at E Source, expressed pride in the partnership, emphasizing that Alabama Power’s focus on innovation has been fundamental to their shared success. He remarked, “The success we have seen with this project reinforces our commitment to helping utilities pursue pragmatic innovation and secure funding to address complex industry challenges with data solutions.”
As the competition progresses, Alabama Power and E Source will advance to Round 3, which features a prize pool of $2.5 million. This next phase will challenge teams to refine their solutions for industry scalability. Teams will have until December to demonstrate their advancements, focusing on either resource integration or grid-sensing capabilities.
Both companies are invested in leveraging data solutions to enhance their operational initiatives, with broader goals of improving service delivery and sustainability in the power sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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