SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) proudly announces the 2026 AESP Energy Awards winners, sponsored by Doer/Maker. These prestigious awards recognize the most innovative and impactful projects, programs and leaders shaping the energy industry today.

“The AESP Energy Awards highlight the individuals and organizations delivering measurable impact across the energy sector,” said Jen Szaro, president and CEO of AESP. “This year’s recipients demonstrate the innovation, collaboration and leadership needed to strengthen energy systems and better serve the unique needs of communities across the United States and Canada.”

Ashley Santor, CEO and founder of Doer/Maker, added, “We are proud to support the AESP Energy Awards and recognize the accomplishments of this year’s honorees. Their leadership in energy efficiency and demand flexibility is helping shape a stronger, more sustainable energy future for everyone.”

2026 Award Recipients

Innovations in Demand Flexibility: Recurve

FLEX Platform

Recurve’s FLEX platform converts measured distributed energy resource performance into dependable demand flexibility. Using meter-based data and machine learning, FLEX forecasts customer-level energy, cost and emissions impacts, enabling utilities and public agencies to improve program design, participant recruitment and regulatory reporting.

Innovations in Technology: Ev.energy, MCE and SVCE

ChargeWise California Dynamic Pricing Pilot

The ChargeWise California pilot was delivered in collaboration with Marin Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy and ev.energy. The program shifted 98% of electric vehicle charging to off-peak hours, delivered average customer savings of approximately $200 annually and enrolled more than 50% of participants from disadvantaged communities—demonstrating a scalable, distribution-integrated approach to equitable load management.

Leadership in Community, Access, Representation and Empowerment (CARE) – Organization: The Energy Coalition

The Energy Coalition designs and delivers clean energy programs focused on energy efficiency, resilience, decarbonization, electrification and clean transportation. In partnership with public agencies, the organization develops strategies that expand access, reduce participation barriers and ensure program benefits, including cost savings, improved air quality and workforce opportunities, are broadly realized. Community impact is considered throughout program design, implementation and evaluation.

Marketing & Customer Experience – Commercial/Industrial: Penn College Workforce Development

Weather the Future: Powering a New Clean Energy Workforce

Penn College Workforce Development, in partnership with UpHouse and Mangrove, launched Weather the Future to address Pennsylvania’s shortage of weatherization professionals. The initiative combined statewide awareness efforts with a student-focused workforce development program. In four months, the campaign reached 5.8 million people, generated 107,000 clicks and engaged 19 schools, demonstrating a scalable model for clean energy workforce growth.

Marketing & Customer Experience – Residential: Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program

Mission: Zoo-Possible

The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program partnered with Brookfield Zoo Chicago to launch Mission: Zoo-Possible, a nine-week interactive scavenger hunt app designed to engage children and families in learning practical energy-saving behaviors. The experience combined animal-themed trivia, digital gameplay and incentives to make energy efficiency accessible, engaging and memorable.

Program Design & Implementation – Commercial/Industrial: IESO

Save on Energy

Through its Save on Energy brand, IESO has supported more than 400,000 homes and businesses across Ontario in managing electricity use, delivering nearly 19 terawatt-hours of energy savings. In 2023, IESO launched a Strategic Energy Management program that achieved 81% of its two-year savings target in its first year, making it one of the largest SEM initiatives in North America.

Program Design & Implementation – Residential: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Comfort Home Program

NYSERDA advances energy efficiency, renewable energy and emissions reductions across New York state in support of the state’s clean energy and decarbonization goals. Through the Comfort Home Program, NYSERDA prepares aging homes for electrification by making them “heat pump ready” using a standard measure package focused on reducing heating load.

The program has upgraded more than 6,000 homes to date and plans to serve 7,500 additional homes in 2026.

Individual Award Recipients

This year’s recipients reflect excellence across multiple categories, including program innovation, mentorship and leadership in community, access, representation and empowerment.

Emerging Professional of the Year: Jessica Reno, Rhode Island Energy (PPL)

Jessica Reno exemplifies the promise and potential of the next generation of energy professionals. Through her proactive pursuit of growth, thoughtful engagement with industry initiatives, and consistent delivery beyond expectations, she has quickly established herself as a standout contributor. Her early career trajectory reflects both technical aptitude and a deep commitment to advancing the industry.

Leadership in Community, Access, Representation and Empowerment (CARE) – Individual

Evan Castro, Resource Innovations

Evan has played a pivotal role in shaping Hawaiʻi’s clean energy transition by thoughtfully integrating ancestral knowledge with modern innovation. A respected advocate for ancestral intelligence, he has advanced equity as a core operational principle informing program design, policy and practice. Evan is honored for his leadership in building a more inclusive, representative and culturally rooted energy future.

AESP Member of the Year

Alvis Wright, Alabama Power

Alvis Wright has been a strong advocate for the AESP community and a respected leader at Alabama Power Company. Since joining the AESP Board in 2023 and serving as CARE Council co-chair beginning in 2025, he has helped strengthen Southern Company’s engagement with AESP through consistent, strategic leadership. His contributions across governance collaboration and community engagement make him a deserving recipient of the AESP Member of the Year Award.

To learn more about the AESP Energy Awards and view the full list of 2026 recipients, visit aesp.org/community/aesp-energy-awards/. The awards will be presented during the AESP 2026 Annual Conference in San Diego.

About AESP 

AESP is a dynamic, inclusive community of over 6,300 energy professionals that are essential to advancing a more resilient, sustainable energy future. We achieve our important work through professional development, education, and collaboration.

To learn more about us, visit www.aesp.org/about

Media Contact

Ian Perterer
Director, Communications
AESP

E: [email protected]
P: +1 480-467-2817

About Doer/Maker

Doer/Maker is a dynamic marketing agency delivering swift, affordable, and transparent solutions for modern business challenges. Co-founded by Ashley Santor and Bill Stowe, the agency has grown into a global team of talented professionals who thrive on solving tough problems through a potent mix of creativity, data science, and strategic thinking.

Doer/Maker offers a comprehensive suite of services, including research, brand strategy, web design, analytics, and high-impact video and social content. A recognized leader in the energy and sustainability sectors, the firm partners with utilities, state agencies, and cleantech innovators to drive energy efficiency, electrification, and clean energy adoption. Notably, Doer/Maker serves as the marketing firm of record for the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP), where their strategic expertise helps elevate the organization’s mission and engage a diverse membership.

At its core, Doer/Maker is built on collaboration, working side-by-side with clients to deliver marketing solutions that make a measurable impact on their goals, their customers, and their communities.

Contact:

Ashley Santor
Founder & CEO, Doer/Maker

E: [email protected]
doermaker.com