POWERGRAMS

INNOVATION Alabama Power is known throughout the electric-utility industry for quickly and efficiently getting the lights back on in the wake of major storms. With the help of a new mobile application, the company expects to restore power faster than ever. "We take a lot of pride in restoring service in a quick and safe manner," said Chris McClain, team leader, PD- Distribution Management Systems, Corporate Headquarters. "But we can't be a company that rests on its laurels. We want to continually improve our storm restoration practices, and this app is the logical next step. Combining mobile hardware with GIS (geographic information system) information by developing mobile apps opens the door for opportunities that have never existed before." Alabama Power's Distribution organization is set to launch the Electric System Damage Assessment (ESDA) application by the fall. The app will let employees use computers and tablets to access the GIS, giving them real-time information about the location and severity of storm damage. The process now involves using paper maps developed from the GIS – a database of substations, poles, conductors, fuses, switches and other distribution facilities. Multiple copies of the maps are kept at all local offices and crew headquarters. Distribution engineers and specialists use the maps to pinpoint and evaluate damage to the electric system. After making notes on the paper maps outlining the situation, the evaluators pass them to crews to make repairs. "Those maps have to be hand-delivered to the evaluators, who then field-check their assigned portions of a distribution circuit, making notes on the map as they go," McClain said. "Once the evaluation is completed, the map has to be handed off to the crew that will be restoring the power. And if there is more than one crew assigned to the job, it may be necessary to make copies of the map, either with a large-format copier or by transposing notes by hand." Another issue, McClain said, is the maps must be regularly updated and reprinted as the electrical system changes. With engineers, specialists, foremen and line personnel already using iPads on the job, it made sense to develop an interactive mobile app. Designed for the iOS, Android and Windows platforms, the app captures, records and transmits GIS data to employees in the field. Supervisors and managers at the office can see the data via a Web-based computer app. Knowing the extent of damage more quickly will assist supervisors in making decisions about manpower, equipment and materials needed for each job. It will also aid them in deciding to seek assistance from other utilities. Distribution began piloting the app in May. Supervisors, engineers and specialists in each division have been asked to test it and offer feedback. "I'm looking forward to using this app in a real storm. It's going to further improve how quickly we respond," said Ozark Engineering Supervisor Rankin Rouse. "Now it could take an evaluator more than half a day to fully evaluate a feeder and bring the handwritten notes back to us in the office. The app will allow me to see real-time updates in the office as the evaluator finds trouble in the field. Once crews arrive, they can load the map onto their iPads, and they will have immediate access to all of the known damage on their assigned feeder, even if the evaluation is still ongoing." Chase Clary said the app will improve communications. "There's always a lot of traffic on the radio during storms, which makes it hard for me to ask questions and get information from the evaluators," said Clary, Talladega Engineering supervisor. "The app will make the process quicker; I won't have to ask as many questions; and there will be a reduced chance of error. The evaluators can not only load information about the damage directly into the iPad, but they can send me a picture." L.P. Miles has been testing the app as he works in the field. He especially likes the feature that tracks his progress along a feeder line. "The breadcrumb feature shows me what equipment I've already checked, which makes it easier to see where I need to go from there," said Miles, Distribution specialist, Talladega. "When it's all said and done, the app will make the whole repair process more efficient." McClain said when utilities send crews to assist with storm restoration, they can be given temporary system access even if they use Android devices. The app also gives Alabama Power the flexibility to move to another mobile platform in the future, if needed. This project is a Southern Company initiative. Alabama Power and the other operating companies plan to roll out the app simultaneously. "Our customers have come to expect reliable service and relatively quick responses to outage situations. Our employees take great pride in our reputation and in serving our customers and our communities," McClain said. "My hope is that when employees see the app, they will see it as a step in the right direction – something that will enhance our storm restoration practices and allow us to restore service more quickly than we ever have before." By Carla Davis 5 Storm communications make major leap from paper to iPad Mobile devices improve resorations. Trussville Crew Headquarters Engineer Stephen Wolbach and Birmingham Engineer Brooke Williams test the new application in the field. Photos by Nik Layman

• Cover