Southern Company named 2020 Power Player of the Year by SEPA Utility Business Models
Southern Company earned the title of Utility Business Models Power Player of the Year for 2020 from the Smart Electric Power Alliance this week, owing to the utility’s first-of-its-kind Smart Neighborhood Initiative.
That initiative is a real-world research and development project meant to educate as to the potential production, delivery and utilization of energy in the future. It takes in voluntarily offered data from homeowners on power usage and environmental data, and together with additional data, offers operational insight for application to microgrids, residential battery storage and rooftop solar systems. Such data also will inform new programs and services surrounding HVAC, heat pump water heaters and other technological systems.
“This year’s Power Players winners showcase innovation in clean energy,” Julia Hamm, SEPA president & CEO, said. “They are spearheading the visionary projects, innovative programs, and collaborative partnerships that will accelerate the transition to a clean and modern energy future. As our industry grapples with unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, this leadership is more necessary now than ever.”
In Southern Company’s case, SEPA credited its uniqueness as a deciding factor. The Utility Business Models Power Player of the Year award specifically recognizes organizations, project teams and individuals for such originality, as well as leadership, in designing new utility business models that advance clean energy adoption and goals, as well as the reduction of carbon emissions.
