ATLANTA, March 25,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Company
Southern 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
southerncompany.com.
About EPRI
Founded 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®.
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SOURCE Southern Company
