POWERGRAMS

Competition Sparks ideas for the future BY CARLA DAVIS • PHOTOS BY WYNTER BYRD Imagine Alabama Power in the parking meter business. Matt Weekley believes it's a possibility. Weekley's idea: Alabama Power could partner with municipalities or shopping centers to create a state- of-the-art digital parking infrastructure in metro areas across the service territory. The system, which centers on digital meters linked to a smartphone app, would provide a safer, more convenient parking option, said Weekley, Corporate Headquarters market specialist. Weekley's proposal, "Advanced Parking Application," was among five submissions that took top honors in the company's first Spark competition last fall. With changes in the electric-utility industry and greater customer expectations, Spark challenged employees to identify innovative opportunities to generate revenue and strengthen customer relationships. "I envision the development of an app for your phone that could give you turn by turn directions to the closest vacant parking space to your destination. This would eliminate the need to keep circling the block to find a parking spot," said Weekley. The app would provide real- time data gleaned from sensors installed in areas with digital meters. The sensors, together with geographic positioning system (GPS) technology, would quickly direct drivers to available parking places. The app would offer the convenience to pay with cash, credit or debit card, or via a monthly account. The benefit, Weekley said, is that customers would only pay for the minutes they park. Weekley sees several opportunities for increased revenue. Alabama Power can benefit by charging a small monthly subscription fee for using the app. Other revenue opportunities could include the sale of advertising via the app and licensing fees for municipalities, shopping centers or parking authorities that use the technology. "My idea would provide an opportunity for our company to be innovative and develop new technology, as well as make money through the process," Weekley said. "Taking a new product to market and convincing people to use it for their safety and convenience will be one of the biggest challenges. But I'm excited to work with subject-matter experts throughout the company to really shore up the idea and try to make it work." Alabama Power recognized the five winners of the Spark competition, along with five finalists, at a celebration in Corporate Headquarters on Dec. 7. The next step for those employees is to further develop their proposals and present them to executive leadership for possible implementation. During the two-month competition, employees submitted 143 ideas, which received nearly 22,000 7 Crosswhite congratulated winners during Dec. 7 announcement ceremonies.

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