POWERGRAMS

2 Alabama Power recently activated its first digital design distribution substation at the Leaf Lake site in Birmingham, marking a major step forward in evaluating digital substations across Southern Company's electric network. Alabama Power and Southern Company's work with digital substation technology is helping create smarter and more efficient substation design, construction and operation. Digital delivers on cost, data The technology offers potential lower construction costs, better data visibility, and improved operations and maintenance throughout the substation's life. "We're just touching the surface on what we can do with a digital substation design, as compared to historical designs," said Brandon Gee, Power Delivery Protection and Control Field Services manager, who has worked on the Leaf Lake Distribution Substation pilot since its June 2024 kickoff. "Instead of using many runs of copper wire cables, we're using a local fiber communications network to replace the copper cables. The fiber communications network allows us to get more specific and detailed information, compared to the information we received in the past. "With these features, we'll be able to maximize the efficiencies of not only building the substation, but also to maximize the efficiencies in how we operate and maintain it," Gee added. These digital upgrades help lower construction costs. Using fiber-optic cable cuts the need for copper wiring and installation labor. Fiber optics lower initial installation costs, enable fast data transfer and analysis, and offer self-monitoring features that help reduce maintenance. These efficiencies are maximized throughout the lifespan of the substation. Ambitious pilot completed The Leaf Lake digital substation project was completed through close collaboration between Southern Company Research and Development, led by Glenn Wilson and Jonathan Doroh, and the engineering team from the Digital Substation Working Group (DSWG), led by Carson Day and Zach Williams. The effort began with vendor evaluations in summer 2024, led by Bill Gordon, manager of Protection and Automation at Southern Company Services. The team selected a vendor in August 2024. Under the One Team approach, representatives from Southern Company Services Research and Development, Control Design, Protection Applications, Substation Integration and Applications, and P&C Field Services Protection and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition – with team members from Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power – were selected for the DSWG. "Everyone has a seat at the table as we're working to build this substation technology from the floor up," Gee said. The final equipment was installed for commissioning at the Leaf Lake digital substation in November 2025 and was energized on Dec. 11. The project took less than 18 months. Gee said the accomplishment was remarkable: The entire protection and control system was built from scratch. Pilot project begins digital shift The Leaf Lake site, Southern Company's first fully digital substation, begins a proof of concept for future evaluation. Alabama Power's successful use of digital technology allows engineering teams to apply lessons learned and expand into other substation types and operating profiles. The standards process and One Team approach will guide the company's use of digital technology in its substations. Alabama Power plans to install another digital substation on its distribution system in 2027, with the DSWG refining the design to improve construction efficiency. As the company continues to evaluate the technology, it expects to expand the concept to transmission substations in the future. Georgia Power plans to launch its first fully digital distribution substation in 2027. Digital substations are more than a technology upgrade: They are a strategic investment in reliability and efficiency. With Leaf Lake leading the way, Alabama Power and Southern Company are poised to deliver smarter energy solutions in the future. Leaf Lake Distribution Substation marks digital leap for Alabama Power RELIABILITY

• Cover