Latest news with #EPRI
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southern Company, EPRI Program To Accelerate Emerging Technologies
ATLANTA, GA / / May 31, 2025 / Southern Company and EPRI, a non-profit energy research and development organization, are launching a pilot program to advance technologies that will support an affordable, reliable and resilient energy future. The Emerging Technologies Pilot Program (ETP Program) is a collaborative initiative that will accelerate the validation and deployment of cutting-edge energy solutions. This unique collaboration will leverage Southern Company's ability to serve energy to homes and businesses and EPRI's experience connecting start-up companies with energy providers through its Incubatenergy Labs (IEL) program. The ETP program is designed to address many of the challenges major corporations often face when implementing new products or services and aims to shorten the amount of time it takes to gain value from novel technologies. Maximizing this "time to value" will provide access to smaller companies that can help the power industry to more rapidly assess, prepare and eventually integrate technologies that will shape the future of energy. Under this program, Southern Company will identify critical strategic and operational needs, and EPRI will utilize its extensive network and technical expertise to connect with companies whose technologies meet those business objectives. Based on EPRI's research and insights, Southern Company will then prioritize and advance he most promising concepts for potential future development. The ETP Program will streamline processes and take advantage of the collective expertise of Southern Company and EPRI, with the key benefits to: Accelerate pilot selection and advancement: EPRI's rigorous evaluation process will support efforts to identify compelling companies, streamlining the technology review and contracting process. Enhance resource utilization: Southern Company will utilize EPRI's expertise and resources to help address constraints often associated with integrating a startup company's technology into a large corporate enterprise. Reduce risk: The program's ability to leverage EPRI's expertise and resources will create a "sandbox" environment that will help mitigate risks associated with demonstrating new technologies. "The energy landscape is rapidly evolving, and it is crucial that we embrace innovation to meet the growing demands of our customers," said Robin Lanier, New Ventures director for Southern Company. "The Emerging Technologies Pilot Program with EPRI will enable us to quickly identify and validate promising technologies, and help ensure that we remain at the forefront of energy innovation and continue to deliver clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy solutions." "EPRI is committed to accelerating the development and deployment of advanced technologies that support affordable, reliable and resilient energy," said Dan Killoren, head of the Global Innovation Hub for EPRI. "We look forward to working with Southern Company and its subsidiaries in this collaboration as we further our goal of rapidly evaluating and integrating innovative solutions that can benefit the energy industry and society." About Southern CompanySouthern Company (NYSE:SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit About EPRIFounded in 1972, EPRI is the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, with offices around the world. EPRI's trusted experts collaborate with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable energy, and equitable access to electricity across the globe. Together…shaping the future of energy®. SOURCE Southern Company For further information: Southern Company Media Relations, 404-506-5333 or 1-866-506-5333, View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on Info:Spokesperson: Southern CompanyWebsite: info@ SOURCE: Southern Company View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Southern Company, EPRI Program To Accelerate Emerging Technologies
Southern Company ATLANTA, March 31, 2025 /3BL/ - Southern Company and EPRI, a non-profit energy research and development organization, are launching a pilot program to advance technologies that will support an affordable, reliable and resilient energy future. The Emerging Technologies Pilot Program (ETP Program) is a collaborative initiative that will accelerate the validation and deployment of cutting-edge energy solutions. This unique collaboration will leverage Southern Company's ability to serve energy to homes and businesses and EPRI's experience connecting start-up companies with energy providers through its Incubatenergy Labs (IEL) program. The ETP program is designed to address many of the challenges major corporations often face when implementing new products or services and aims to shorten the amount of time it takes to gain value from novel technologies. Maximizing this 'time to value' will provide access to smaller companies that can help the power industry to more rapidly assess, prepare and eventually integrate technologies that will shape the future of energy. Under this program, Southern Company will identify critical strategic and operational needs, and EPRI will utilize its extensive network and technical expertise to connect with companies whose technologies meet those business objectives. Based on EPRI's research and insights, Southern Company will then prioritize and advance he most promising concepts for potential future development. The ETP Program will streamline processes and take advantage of the collective expertise of Southern Company and EPRI, with the key benefits to: 'The energy landscape is rapidly evolving, and it is crucial that we embrace innovation to meet the growing demands of our customers,' said Robin Lanier, New Ventures director for Southern Company. 'The Emerging Technologies Pilot Program with EPRI will enable us to quickly identify and validate promising technologies, and help ensure that we remain at the forefront of energy innovation and continue to deliver clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy solutions.' 'EPRI is committed to accelerating the development and deployment of advanced technologies that support affordable, reliable and resilient energy,' said Dan Killoren, head of the Global Innovation Hub for EPRI. 'We look forward to working with Southern Company and its subsidiaries in this collaboration as we further our goal of rapidly evaluating and integrating innovative solutions that can benefit the energy industry and society.' About Southern CompanySouthern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit About EPRIFounded in 1972, EPRI is the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, with offices around the world. EPRI's trusted experts collaborate with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable energy, and equitable access to electricity across the globe. Together…shaping the future of energy®. SOURCE Southern Company For further information: Southern Company Media Relations, 404-506-5333 or 1-866-506-5333, Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Southern Company
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Nuclear Golden Age: Huge Potential, Stubborn Obstacles
President Donald Trump's four executive orders mandating a great and fast leap forward for the nuclear power industry may seem to nuclear advocates like manna from heaven. But as it fell to earth, it appeared that the manna might be filled with empty calories. Trump's directives outline an aggressive program of nuclear power growth. For starters, he wants to quadruple nuclear power production by 2050; shorten the licensing time to 18 months; and build 10 traditional, large light water reactors and a plethora of small modular reactors (SMRs). The need for more nuclear power as fast as possible is palpable. The big tech companies and their data centers are demanding vast new power supplies. They are facing constraints already dictated by a lack of power generating or by congested transmission lines. Large swaths of the country will soon be achingly short of power in times of extreme cold or abnormal heat, according to forecasts from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. But there are roadblocks. Some are specific and some more generic. The biggest is, as always, money. Nuclear sources across the board, from Arshad Mansoor of EPRI to James Schaefer of Guggenheim Partners, who is something of a Pied Piper for nuclear, say that for nuclear to move forward, the federal government must provide financing in the form of a 'backstop' to protect against runaway losses. So far, the Trump administration hasn't spoken to this. Another money issue is tax credits. The massive tax-cut bill now before the Senate seeks to phase out green tax credits, but treats nuclear power just a little kinder than wind and solar. It extends the tax credits longer, but these are only available to power plants which begin construction before 2029. Clearly, most contemplated new reactors will fall outside of that time window. While everyone agrees that licensing nuclear plants takes too long, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is about to be hit with a tidal wave of new applications, many of those for SMRs. These are challenging because they all have different designs, fuels, cooling systems, materials, vulnerabilities and strengths. They are new almost from the ground up and require a new regime of technical expertise to assess their safety. The NRC and the electric utility industry and its nuclear component all face severe labor shortages. Mark Menezes, president and CEO of the United States Energy Association, flagged the labor shortage as a threat to the energy supply future during a panel discussion of fusion development at the group's annual conference on May 15. He recalled when the two new Vogtle Units were under construction as well as the mixed oxide fuel facility — later abandoned — at the Savannah River National Laboratory, there was a shortage of skilled workers in the South, from engineers to welders to laborers. Clint Thurmon, vice president of Ferreira Power South, said April 30 on Digital 360, the weekly online webinar, that an acute shortage of linemen was limiting the growth of the electricity infrastructure. In the same vein, new reactors are likely to run into the supply chain difficulties that are already plaguing the utilities, and which are likely to get worse. Most bulk electrical equipment has been procured from China for half a century. Although new sources and domestic manufacture — particularly of transformers — is increasing, the shortage is severe and will continue even without big new demands adding to the pressure. In the first golden age of nuclear power, roughly the 1960s, it surged: Ninety-nine reactors were built at 61 sites, according to the Energy Information Administration. It would be hard with the deteriorated nuclear base to achieve that today. Some things will get easier. For example, virtual twins will facilitate the nuclear construction of the future. Many components and much of the fuel construction will be assisted with AI. Still, the uncertainties are many. One of these is how much power from SMRs really costs. A driver of SMRs -- roughly 350 megawatts and less — is that they can be built in factories and that this will keep down the cost. But as that hypothesis is yet to be proven, the real cost of power from SMRs isn't known, and there are likely to be wide variations in designs. Not every SMR will prove out nor will every SMR produce power at a competitive price. There will be more nuclear power going forward, but how much and at what cost is, like all gold rushes, uncertain.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southern Company, EPRI Program To Accelerate Emerging Technologies
ATLANTA, GA / / May 31, 2025 / Southern Company and EPRI, a non-profit energy research and development organization, are launching a pilot program to advance technologies that will support an affordable, reliable and resilient energy future. The Emerging Technologies Pilot Program (ETP Program) is a collaborative initiative that will accelerate the validation and deployment of cutting-edge energy solutions. This unique collaboration will leverage Southern Company's ability to serve energy to homes and businesses and EPRI's experience connecting start-up companies with energy providers through its Incubatenergy Labs (IEL) program. The ETP program is designed to address many of the challenges major corporations often face when implementing new products or services and aims to shorten the amount of time it takes to gain value from novel technologies. Maximizing this "time to value" will provide access to smaller companies that can help the power industry to more rapidly assess, prepare and eventually integrate technologies that will shape the future of energy. Under this program, Southern Company will identify critical strategic and operational needs, and EPRI will utilize its extensive network and technical expertise to connect with companies whose technologies meet those business objectives. Based on EPRI's research and insights, Southern Company will then prioritize and advance he most promising concepts for potential future development. The ETP Program will streamline processes and take advantage of the collective expertise of Southern Company and EPRI, with the key benefits to: Accelerate pilot selection and advancement: EPRI's rigorous evaluation process will support efforts to identify compelling companies, streamlining the technology review and contracting process. Enhance resource utilization: Southern Company will utilize EPRI's expertise and resources to help address constraints often associated with integrating a startup company's technology into a large corporate enterprise. Reduce risk: The program's ability to leverage EPRI's expertise and resources will create a "sandbox" environment that will help mitigate risks associated with demonstrating new technologies. "The energy landscape is rapidly evolving, and it is crucial that we embrace innovation to meet the growing demands of our customers," said Robin Lanier, New Ventures director for Southern Company. "The Emerging Technologies Pilot Program with EPRI will enable us to quickly identify and validate promising technologies, and help ensure that we remain at the forefront of energy innovation and continue to deliver clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy solutions." "EPRI is committed to accelerating the development and deployment of advanced technologies that support affordable, reliable and resilient energy," said Dan Killoren, head of the Global Innovation Hub for EPRI. "We look forward to working with Southern Company and its subsidiaries in this collaboration as we further our goal of rapidly evaluating and integrating innovative solutions that can benefit the energy industry and society." About Southern CompanySouthern Company (NYSE:SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit About EPRIFounded in 1972, EPRI is the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, with offices around the world. EPRI's trusted experts collaborate with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable energy, and equitable access to electricity across the globe. Together…shaping the future of energy®. SOURCE Southern Company For further information: Southern Company Media Relations, 404-506-5333 or 1-866-506-5333, View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on Info:Spokesperson: Southern CompanyWebsite: info@ SOURCE: Southern Company View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Power Companies Get a Guide to Making the Grid Withstand Climate Impacts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As supercharged storms and wildfires batter electric power systems with greater frequency, an industry research group released Thursday a framework to help power companies improve resilience in the face of climate-driven extreme weather. The Climate Resilience and Adaptation Initiative, or Climate READi, framework is the result of a three-year collaboration among 40 utilities and more than 100 academics, financial leaders and regulators guided by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent research organization. "We saw a growing need for answering people's questions motivated by wildfires, floods, hurricanes, ice storms, heat waves—whatever you see in a different part of the country or the world," Andrea Staid, a principal technical leader in EPRI's energy systems and climate analysis group told Newsweek. "The power system is not always able to handle these events, and they're happening much more frequently and, in some cases, they are much more severe." Just in the period since EPRI launched the Climate READi collaboration in early 2022, there were 70 climate-related disasters in the U.S. that each caused more than $1 billion in damages, EPRI found. A CenterPoint Energy crew worker wipes sweat from his brow as he works with others to restore power lines on July 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. A CenterPoint Energy crew worker wipes sweat from his brow as he works with others to restore power lines on July 11, 2024 in Houston, shows that those billion-dollar blows are coming with greater frequency. Since 1980, the annual average for those big-ticket disasters was 8.5 a year, EPRI said. But for the 5-year period from 2019 to 2023, billion-dollar disasters happened about 20 times a year. That may be partly due to more housing and infrastructure being built in vulnerable areas such as coastlines and fire-prone places. But climate scientists are also finding the fingerprints of climate change in many extreme weather events. A warmer climate holds more atmospheric moisture, raising the likelihood of intense rainfall and flooding. Higher sea surface temperatures cause tropical storms to grow stronger faster as they approach shore. And a "whiplash" between heavy rains and drought contributes to more dangerous wildfires. Power systems are vulnerable to damage from winds, flooding and fire, and the costs of recovery can reach staggering sums. "Waiting until events happen and then trying to restore and recover is much more costly than being proactive and trying to look ahead and plan for what we expect will be coming," Staid said. One of the billion-dollar disasters that struck last year provided a case study for the need to better assess and plan for climate risks to power systems. CenterPoint Energy, the main power provider for Houston, was in the process of developing a resilience plan when Hurricane Beryl struck the Texas coast last July, knocking out power to more than 2 million customers. A week later, hundreds of thousands were still without power in the summer heat. As the outages dragged on, Texas lawmakers and regulators launched an investigation of CenterPoint's response and storm preparedness. The company estimated the total cost to repair damage from Beryl at about $1.2 billion. Earlier this year, CenterPoint filed with Texas regulators what it called the "largest single grid resiliency investment in the company's history." The $5.75 billion plan will strengthen 130,000 power poles, increase tree-trimming and elevate substations to avoid flooding. This month the company announced that it has placed 400 miles of power lines underground. CenterPoint said the resiliency investments will save about $50 million a year by preventing storm-related outages and keep the power on for more customers in the event of another hurricane like Beryl. The Climate READi framework provides utility companies guidance on climate data, vulnerability assessments of power systems and a method for prioritizing needed investments in resiliency. "Strengthening the electrical grid to be more resilient against extreme weather will be one of the electrical sector's biggest challenges for years to come," Southern California Edison CEO Steve Powell said in a statement. Powell served as the working group chair for Climate READi, and he said it provides a "data-driven, science-based framework" to assist decision makers. However, some of the underlying data the framework depends on could become harder to get as the Trump administration seeks to eliminate programs associated with climate change. For example, the data EPRI used to demonstrate the greater recent frequency of large-scale weather disasters came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which has maintained the "billion-dollar weather and climate disasters" database since 1980. Last week NOAA announced that due to "evolving priorities, statutory mandates, and staffing changes" the database will no longer be updated, removing one of the most reliable sets of information on the costs of climate-driven extreme weather. "If a tool or data source ceases to exist, then we will have to pivot," Staid said. "Good data makes for good results, and we really hope that there will continue to be good data available to do this work."
