The Alliance to Save Energy Names Four Innovators as 2019 Stars of Energy Efficiency

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2019 /3BL Media/ – The Alliance to Save Energy on Wednesday announced it would be awarding Alabama Power, Ingersoll Rand, OhmConnect, and Pepco Holdings its 2019 Stars of Energy Efficiency, celebrating their accomplishments in pioneering new ways to use energy more effectively. The 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.

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. “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 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.

“We appreciate this great recognition from the Alliance to Save Energy for Smart Neighborhood, which is an important part of Alabama Power’s commitment to find new and better ways to serve our customers,” said Alabama Power CEO Mark Crosswhite. “As we continue to keep customers at the center of everything we do, we’re excited about the opportunities to use technology and innovative solutions to transform our business.”

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 and more.

“We’re honored to receive the Star of Doubling Down on Efficiency Award in recognition of our reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensity across our operations and business,” said Michael Lamach, chairman and CEO of Ingersoll Rand and leading brands Trane and Thermo King. “Sustainability is foundational to who we are. In 2014, we set ambitious sustainability targets that transformed the industry and how we serve our customers and communities. Our next generation 2030 targets – which include an ambitious goal to reduce emissions from our products by one gigaton while reducing energy used to produce systems – will continue to lead innovation toward an energy-efficient and cleaner environment.”

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.

Matt Duesterberg, CEO of OhmConnect, said: “We’re helping people understand and even have fun by being mindful of their energy use to save money – and reduce the need for dirty ‘peaker’ power plants. Using energy more effectively isn’t just about using less, it’s about using it more strategically – at the times when it's the least expensive and better for the planet.”

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.

“We are committed to providing programs and services that transform the way our customers use energy,” said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power and Pepco. “These important programs are providing all customers with cost-effective, energy saving opportunities for their homes and businesses. We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes just how effective our programs have been at helping customers save money and energy.”

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. Information about the Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Gala is available at www.ase.org/dinner.

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.