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Members of the AESP community are involved in activities every day that make strides – both big and small – toward achieving these goals. From developing new technologies and finding better ways to do things to solving problems and devising innovative new approaches, the AESP ENERGY AWARDS were created to recognize this spirit of innovation and hard work.
2026 AESP Energy Award Winners
Nicor Gas
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.
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.
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.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
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.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
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.
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.
Ev.energy, MCE, and SVCE
ChargeWise California Dynamic Pricing Pilot Distribution-Integrated Smart Charging Orchestration (DISCO)
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
Jessica Reno, Rhode Island Energy
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.
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.
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.
The clean energy industry is driven by a noble goal to make the world a better place. We work toward reducing harmful greenhouse gasses and our dependence on earth’s limited fuel resources.
Members of the AESP community are involved in activities every day that make strides – both big and small – toward achieving these goals. From developing new technologies and finding better ways to do things, to solving problems and devising innovative new approaches, the AESP ENERGY AWARDS were created to recognize this spirit of innovation and hard work.
Why Enter the AESP Energy Awards?
Prestige & Recognition
Give your project the recognition and exposure it deserves. There’s no better validation for a great idea than winning the industry’s leading award.
Help Advance the Industry
Great ideas should be shared. Through your award-winning program you help contribute to industry best practices and help inspire more innovative thinking.
Recognize Teamwork
Behind every success story is a team of individuals who’ve championed the idea every step of the way. This award recognizes your team and their hard work.