Alabama Power Takes Predictive Power Mapping to the Next Level

Alabama Power’s grid modernization project will compete for a $2.5 million prize pool in the Department of Energy’s Digitizing Utilities competition. The utility collaborated with E Source, a utility data company, to develop the Enterprise Graph Database, which uses a predictive power mapping data system to organize and analyze power network data in real-time.

The project has so far earned $275,000 ($75,000 in Round 1 and $200,000 in Round 2) in the contest, which encourages utilities, data experts, and software developers to use digitization and data analysis tools to improve grid reliability.

Grid monitoring. Image used courtesy of Alabama Power

Using Predictive Power Mapping

The Enterprise Graph Database aims to improve grid operational efficiency and mitigate risks by organizing, connecting, and analyzing grid data. The platform has multiple functions.

• Visualization in real-time. The tool makes it easier to visualize network connections, asset relationships, and risks. The information is updated continuously.
• Simulation. The platform simulates distribution networks to analyze power flow.
• Optimization. Using the data, grid operators can assess the needs of the grid and its users.
• Recordkeeping. The system records previous grid configurations for comprehensive and accurate comparative analysis.

Alabama Power serves 1.5 million customers across 44,500 square miles, comprising most of the state. It has over 84,000 miles of transmission lines.

Alabama’s southern coastal location makes it vulnerable to hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornadoes. Although Alabama Power has an undergrounding program, like many utilities, many transmission lines remain above ground and are at risk for storm damage.

Alabama Power crews repairing lines after a storm. Image used courtesy of Alabama Power

A February storm caused outages affecting 123,000 customers. The utility replaced 333 poles and 203 transformers, and crews spliced 1,855 spans of wire. During an outage, predictive analytics can assist utilities in quickly identifying the condition of equipment and assets to prioritize repair crews.

DOE and Digitizing Utilities

The DOE launched the Digitizing Utilities Prize competition in 2022. Teams were invited to join either Track 1, digitizing utilities, or Track 2, cybersecurity. Round 1 asked utilities and developers to team up and propose solutions for data or cybersecurity issues. In Round 2, they developed and implemented their solution.

Alabama and E Source’s project was initially titled “Enterprise GraphDB to Better Data QA & Analytics.” It focused on creating a graph database using information from Alabama Power’s grid. The result was the Enterprise Graph Database.

In Round 3, teams must refine their solution, demonstrate its effectiveness, and plan scalability for industry adoption.

Shane Powell, director of Data Analytics for Power Delivery at Southern Company, said data innovation has helped the utility industry make significant progress in meeting needs. Alabama Power is Southern Company’s subsidiary.

“At Alabama Power, we are focused on developing practical data solutions that offer quick benefits, can grow with our needs and provide long-term results,” Powell said. “This award is a testament to the integrity and effectiveness of our approach. Our collaboration with E Source has been critical to the success of this and other data initiatives at Alabama power, so we are excited to move into the next phase of this program with their team.”