Alliance To Save Energy Names 2019 Stars Of Energy Efficiency

These annual awards recognize organizations and individuals pioneering new ways to use energy more effectively in buildings, homes, and beyond.

Today, the Alliance to Save Energy has announced its 2019 Stars of Energy Efficiency, celebrating accomplishments in pioneering new ways to use energy more effectively. The four recipients are: Alabama Power, Ingersoll Rand, OhmConnect, and Pepco Holdings. These awards reflect a new emphasis on reducing energy use through integrated and automated technologies, on-demand efficiency opportunities that can better balance electrical grid loads, and corporate leadership in speeding the deployment of efficiency solutions. Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders.energy efficiency

The prizes will be presented at the Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Gala in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2019, a gathering of 400 energy efficiency executives, advocates, and government officials. (Click here to learn about Facility Executive Live!, which also takes place in the Washington, DC area on September 19.)

“Energy efficiency isn’t just about sealing the leaks or replacing old equipment, it’s increasingly about smart systems that work together to maximize savings, help reduce strains on the grid and support the integration of renewable energy sources,” said Jason Hartke, President of the Alliance to Save Energy. “These are companies that are at the forefront of the newest active efficiency technologies and are committing to deliver more energy savings.”

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, will receive the Star of Systems Efficiency Award for developing the 62-home Smart Neighborhood™ in suburban Birmingham featuring emerging energy-efficient technologies and building measures, all connected to the Southeast’s first community-scale microgrid. Homes in the community are around 39% more efficient than standard new homes in the area and are equipped with technology to allow residents more control over systems and features, along with increased comfort. Alabama Power is using data from the neighborhood to provide greater understanding of energy management and insights into how homes can be built and function more efficiently.

Ingersoll Rand will be honored with the Star of Doubling Down on Efficiency Award for setting and surpassing bold greenhouse gas reduction goals. Since 2014, the company has reduced the greenhouse gas emissions of its operations by 45% and its energy intensity by 23%. By producing efficient products — including building HVAC and energy management, transport refrigeration, personal transportation vehicles, hand tools, air compressors, fluid pumps, and material handling equipment products — it has also reduced its customers’ GHG footprint by more than half. In May, Ingersoll Rand and its strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King® announced its newest sustainability commitment for 2030 which includes reducing its customers’ GHG footprint by 1 billion metric tons of CO2e, achieving carbon-neutral operations, realizing a 10% reduction in absolute energy consumption.

OhmConnect will receive a Star of Dynamic Efficiency Award for its innovative energy platform that is reducing strain on the electrical grid and paving the way for everyone to get smarter about their energy usage through gamification. OhmConnect pays its customers to save energy when the grid is stressed. The service, with more than half a million participants in the U.S. and Canada, sells the aggregated reductions of electricity during moments of peak demand as virtual power to the energy markets. The platform encourages participants to make easy, tangible behavioral changes, like turning off lights, as well as automated actions through connected smart devices like thermostats. To date, OhmConnect has offset more than two million pounds of carbon and paid its users more than $10 million, and it is set to expand in the U.S. beyond its California base.

Pepco Holdings will be presented with the Star of Dynamic Efficiency Award for demand-side management programs at Delmarva Power and Pepco. These programs are leveraging smart thermostats to help customers save money and energy during peak energy usage periods. The Thermostat Optimization Program makes slight temperature setpoint adjustments to participants’ heating and cooling schedules to create approximately 100 kilowatt hours in household energy savings annually – all with minimal impact on their comfort. The Bring Your Own Device Program allows customers to participate in demand response with any eligible thermostat. Participants receive up to $40 in annual bill credits for allowing Delmarva Power or Pepco to reduce air conditioner run times on peak demand days.

The Charles H. Percy Award and Chairman’s Award will also be presented at the gala; the winners will be announced on a subsequent date.

Alliance Welcomes New Board Members

In other news from Alliance to Save Energy, in June 2019 its Board of Directors elected four new members from companies at the forefront of using energy more efficiently and smartly.

The Board welcomed David J. Anderson, executive vice president and director at Ameresco; Roger Karner, US market President of Signify; Clay Nesler, vice president, global sustainability and regulatory affairs at Johnson Controls; and Wesley Walker, senior national director, Siemens Smart Infrastructure. The board also elected member Anne Pramaggiore, senior executive vice president and CEO of Exelon Utilities, as its vice chair.

“Energy efficiency today is about dynamic integration of multiple smart solutions, from cutting-edge lighting and equipment to smart controls and buildings systems that manage energy effectively, and the leaders we’re welcoming today reflect those new ideas,” said Alliance to Save Energy President, Jason Hartke. “I’m proud to have these experts joining our leadership and look forward to capitalizing on the knowledge they bring.”

Two new Board members will succeed departing members from their companies: Clay Nesler succeeds Randy Leslie and Wesley Walker succeeds Dana Soukup.

Energy Management & Lighting, FacilityBlog, Featured

Alabama Power, Alliance To Save Energy, Ameresco, Awards, Energy Efficiency, Ingersoll Rand, Johnson Controls, OhmConnect, Pepco Holdings, Siemens, Signify

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