The prizes will be presented at the Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on September 19, 2019, a gathering of 400 energy efficiency executives, advocates, and government officials.
“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.
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 percent 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 percent and its energy intensity by 23 perceny. 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 percent reduction in absolute energy consumption and more.
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..
