WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The International
Energy Agency (IEA) Hydrogen Implementing Agreement (HIA), the
largest and longest lived global collaboration in hydrogen
research, development and demonstration (R,D&D), is pleased to
announce the accession of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), a combined
American gas and electric utility, to the IEA HIA (www.ieahia.org).
As an IEA HIA member, Southern Company may participate in any of
the diverse research and analysis tasks which, together with
outreach activities, comprise the IEA HIA's innovation portfolio.
Initially, Southern Company has elected to participate in IEA HIA
Task 38, which analyzes the use of hydrogen generated from
electricity. Southern Company will also have a seat on the IEA HIA
Executive Committee, the governing forum.
IEA HIA Chairman Stefan
Oberholzer (from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy)
welcomed Southern Company as the first IEA HIA utility member,
underscoring Southern Company's vision and the important role that
utilities play in shaping a future energy system that features
hydrogen. "Southern Company is an industry pioneer whose interest
in hydrogen and clean energy makes it a global leader in energy
innovation, ensuring the company's position as an energy provider
of the future."
"As a leading national energy company, Southern Company is
committed to building the future of energy," said Southern Company
Chairman, President and CEO Tom
Fanning. "We look forward to working with the IEA to
explore how hydrogen can play an important role in that
future."
About the IEA HIA
As an IEA Technology Collaboration Program and treaty-based
organization, the IEA HIA is working to accelerate hydrogen
implementation and widespread utilization worldwide through
R,D&D cooperation and information exchange. In addition to new
member Southern Company, IEA HIA membership includes 22 countries
and the Commission of the European Union, as well as Shell, the
German public- private partnership NOW and the international
non-profit association HySafe. For more information about the IEA
HIA, a premier global resource for technical expertise in hydrogen
R,D&D, visit www.ieahia.org.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company,
with 44,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion
cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput
volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through
its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and
affordable energy through electric utilities in four states,
natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive
generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a
nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as
well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company
brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability
and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through
an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and
its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by
developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including
carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and
energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the
benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S.
Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs
magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50
Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise
magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and
designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The
company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History
from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and
commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among
the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric
and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at
www.southerncompany.com.
Contact
Mary-Rose de Valladares, IEA HIA
General Manager, can be reached at mvalladares@ieahia.org or +1 301
634 7423 (land line) or + 1 202 409 4240 (cell).
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SOURCE International Energy Agency Hydrogen Implementing
Agreement (IEA HIA)