POWERGRAMS

Alabama Power's Grid Technology: An Overview 16 SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition •A system of software and hardware elements used to control and communicate with field equipment to maintain efficiency, collect data for smarter decisions and identify system issues to help mitigate downtime. •Alabama Power first placed into production in 1991. AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure technology •An integrated system of smart meters, communications networks and data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers. •Alabama Power installed its first AMI meters in 2007, and fully deployed in 2010. LTE Long-Term Evolution network •A standard for wireless broadband communication and data transmission for mobile devices. •Southern Linc, Southern Company's highly reliable, highly secure network structure, was launched in 1996 as a common radio platform for integrated storm response communications. In 2018, Southern Company became the first utility in the U.S. to deploy a private LTE network. A comprehensive puzzle Fiber Optic Cable •Alabama Power has been installing fiber optic cable for years to support the reliability of its electric operations and to facilitate secure, high-speed communication and data transfers. •The company first used fiber optics for communication in the mid-1970s to alleviate the inherent issues of a traditional metallic telephone cable that extended from a tower site down to Mitchell Dam to deliver voice and control services. Long-Haul Fiber • Fiber has been a part of the transmission system for 20 to 30 years, but as infrastructure ages and the need for better communication grows, there is a need for new communication thoroughfares across the state. • Alabama Power's Long-Haul Fiber initiative was created to address this need, and fiber and conduit infrastructure are being installed on transmission rights of way across the state, connecting major connectivity hubs, cities/ towns, generation plants and substations. Fiber to Distribution •Power Delivery began a new distribution fiber program in 2017 blanketing distribution feeders around the state with fiber optic cable. •The primary driver of this program is to support core electric operations, but this infrastructure can also support new initiatives and economic development opportunities.

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