"This news release is from the Electric Power Research Institute."

Alabama Power employees Jonathan Ponstein, Environmental Affairs supervisor, Justin Mitchell, Environmental Affairs team leader, and Angie Jimmerson, senior compliance specialist at Plant Barry, recently were honored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for their work in applying research and development (R&D). The work was a result of the partnership between EPRI, Alabama Power Environmental Affairs and Plant Barry.

“The 2014 Technology Transfer Award winners made significant achievements in applying EPRI research results, or acting as champions for EPRI research programs,” said Anda Ray, vice president of environment and chief sustainability officer at EPRI. “The commitment and collaboration demonstrated by these individuals and teams enables the power industry to continuously improve its safety, reliability and affordability and be more environmentally responsible for the benefit of their stakeholders and society.”

The employees received an EPRI Technology Transfer Award, given annually to members who have led efforts on behalf of their companies and the industry at large. The award was presented during meetings of EPRI’s environment advisers in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 10.

Mitchell and Ponstein were honored for leadership and collaboration with EPRI as Alabama Power became the first company to install Hydrolox molded polymer traveling water screens in a cooling water intake structure.

Jimmerson was part of the Plant Barry team that installed and operated the technology and provided engineering and compliance support.

In addition, the fish survival information from the Alabama Power work significantly extended the knowledge base of how these screens perform and how fish impingement survival studies are performed.

EPRI presented its 2014 Technology Transfer Awards for environment R&D to 38 people representing 24 electric power companies.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, affordability, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent approximately 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to more than 30 countries.  EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, CA; Charlotte, NC; Knoxville, TN; and Lenox, MA.