Alabama Power continues going green with new solar facility
In two weeks, Alabama Power will join in a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the successful launch of its new solar facility, which has been operational for past two months. Last year, the company continued to add renewables to its energy portfolio when they joined forces with Centaurus Renewable Energy and entered a long-term power purchase agreement to secure the rights to all the energy and environmental attributes that the new facility near LaFayette, Ala. generates. Dubbed “Alabama Solar A,” the 72-megawatt — which is the energy equivalent to what is typically needed to power roughly 18,000 homes — facility will generate around 190,000 megawatt hours annually, according to one of the facility developers Michael Gallego, Vice President of Operations for Clēnera. Alabama Solar A adds to Alabama Power’s growing renewables portfolio, which already includes two additional solar arrays at Ft. Rucker and the Anniston Army Depot. Panels at Ft. Rucker can convert the sunlight into 10 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 1,600 homes. Meanwhile, at the Anniston Army Depot 87,000 solar panels and a seven-megawatt plant, which translates into enough power for 1,100 homes. The company also relies on hydroelectric power, another renewable resource. With 14 hydro facilities on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers, these plants provide about six percent of the company’s power generation. This March, through the Renew Our Rivers campaign, the company will continue to steward the state’s waterways well as they partner with individuals and organizations across the state on cleanups and other events focusing on environmental stewardship, education and conservation. Since the program’s inception in 2000, about 75,000 volunteers have collected over 14 million pounds of trash and debris. In addition to what it’s doing in the Yellowhammer state, Alabama Power is a leading purchaser among Southeast utilities of energy from out-of-state wind farms. The company has agreements with Chisholm View Wind Project in Oklahoma and Buffalo Dunes Wind Project in Kansas for enough energy to power more than 100,000 homes. Under both 20-year contracts, Alabama Power has the flexibility to use generated wind energy to serve customers and retire the associated renewable energy credits (RECs) or sell the energy and RECs to others, either separately or bundled together. The new solar facility, along with its other renewable projects, are a few of the many steps that reveal Alabama Power’s commitment to environmental stewardship is among its highest priorities, as the company continues to endeavor to produce greener energy and minimize its environmental impact.
LEAP Career Day shows Alabama students anything is possible
Birmingham and Gadsden-area ninth-grade students explored careers in engineering on March 23 at Alabama Power’s Linemen, Engineers and Apprentice Programs (LEAP) Career Day. Hosted at the 12th Street Crew Headquarters in downtown Birmingham, students heard speakers, participated in hands-on programs and saw firsthand some careers available to them. LEAP is a mentor program that connects Alabama Power employees with students to give them information about engineering and trade skills. It combines efforts, knowledge and experience of employees throughout Power Delivery, Transmission and Distribution departments, as well as employees in those disciplines at Southern Company Services. Alabama teens take a LEAP forward with Alabama Power career day from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo. While the Career Day has existed for years, this was the second year for it to follow an interactive and engaging feedback format. “Through LEAP, we participate in events both at the school and here at Alabama Power,” said Jason Pruett, an engineering supervisor for Alabama Power Power Delivery. “For this event, we bring students in and show them all of the career opportunities available to them here, from being a lineman to an engineer to all the other departments.” Dozens of employees representing their departments helped students explore careers. Engineers showcased how the company uses technology, including drones. Representatives from Environmental Affairs shared how environmental positions make an impact, as well as how students can be involved in Renew Our Rivers. In addition to an electric vehicle onsite, the Safe-T-Zone presentation was one of the many ways employees interacted with students. “I want to be an engineer but I don’t know which type, but that’s why I am here today with the LEAP program,” said Stanley Hicks, a freshman at Ramsay High School. “Engineers make a big impact in the community. I can be anything I want to be, even though I am a girl. I think it is a lot better to be here and see what my options are,” said Chloe Wenzell, a freshman at Oak Mountain High School. After last year’s program, Pruett and other organizers of Career Day were encouraged by the positive feedback and excitement from career counselors and teachers. “This is a hands-on interactive event. From all accounts, they really like it and are getting a lot out of it,” Pruett said. Republished with permission of the Alabama NewsCenter.
