POWERGRAMS

INNOVATION New Power Delivery system improves reliability, crew safety hanks to Alabama Power's new Integrated Distribution Management System (IDMS), Clint Owens' job as an Operations supervisor is being enhanced through essential system information in one user platform and reduced chances for human error. The IDMS computer application has been implemented by all five Distribution Operation Centers (DOCs). Heralded by Power Delivery (PD)-Operations employees as "better than sliced bread," IDMS has rapidly been accepted throughout Distribution. "I knew right away that IDMS would benefit us as system operators," said Owens, who has worked in Distribution for 16 of his 26 years at Alabama Power. The program replaces "legacy" tools for analyzing the grid – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), the Distribution Outage Evaluation System (DOES), and an electronic map board (EMB) and switching management system – with a single platform. When all phases of IDMS are deployed, the tools will be in one application, with improved functions and one view. Phase II will integrate the outage management functions into IDMS. Distribution plans to test that piece with the existing DOES system throughout hurricane season. If testing goes as planned, Distribution will use this IDMS component in the fall. Using IDMS, DOC operators quickly get a full view of the distribution grid, without having to use different workstations, keyboards and commands. Owens said IDMS provides multiple benefits. It greatly increases efficiencies for the DOCs, which remotely monitor and control about 850 substations integral to supplying electricity to 1.4 million customers. "We saw what IDMS would do and we knew it would make us more productive," Owens said. "IDMS is expected to be a major component of our efforts to maintain positive control of the distribution system in each DOC. The application will allow us to quickly identify outages and system conditions. It will streamline the switching process by eliminating handwritten switching orders, and limit the possibility of switching errors by checking the switching order for Photo by Bill Snow T Owens works at new DOC control system. accuracy before issuing it to field personnel." When fully implemented, IDMS will provide current system outage information, highlight faults and identify potential overloading, trouble areas and other conditions. A "customer dashboard" will provide real-time notification of outages, including which customers are without power, crews that are restoring power and estimated restoration times. IDMS got its start in 2006, when Alabama Power won a Department of Energy (DOE) grant to investigate the future of electric power grid operations. The company tapped Distribution Systems Management Manager Bill Mintz to lead the project. "This will be a good tool for our Customer Service, Power Delivery personnel and Marketing personnel to enable them to provide timely and accurate information to our customers regarding outages," Mintz said. Mintz's goal was to pursue advances to aid DOC operators and be able to operate the distribution grid more efficiently. The initial phase was to prove the three mission-critical applications could be integrated to enhance grid operations. Implementation began in June 2009. Mintz said the four Southern operating companies together determined IDMS design requirements, with the DOE providing funding throughout the project. IDMS aligns with DOE's goals of improving the operations and efficiencies of the nation's distribution grid infrastructure. "This project has been a tremendous, successful effort by Alabama Power employees in Power Delivery and Information Technology, as well as the DOE, Alstom Grid and all of our operating companies. I'm very proud of our team and their accomplishments," Mintz said. Alabama Power is leading the system in using IDMS. To prepare for rollout, from July to September 2012, the project team trained Alabama Power's operators and operator assistants in a unique simulator. Power Delivery Vice President Danny Glover said he is proud of Alabama Power's contributions in developing and implementing IDMS. "This technology is a model that has the ability to improve the operations of electric utilities in the U.S. and beyond," Glover said. "The future of Distribution operations is exciting. IDMS will help improve efficiencies for electric service and help us continue to provide top reliability while safeguarding our employees who make it possible." By Donna Cope PAGE 3

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