Grid Forward recently announced the winners of the Grid Innovator Awards, as part of its 10-year anniversary celebration. Uplight, Portland General Electric, and Terry Oliver were honored for their roles in helping lead the regional electric utility industry forward in grid modernization over the past 10 years.
"Grid Forward has become the place where our regional stakeholders come together to promote and accelerate grid modernization," said Bryce Yonker, Grid Forward executive director. "While so many people and organizations have contributed to the cause, our Grid Innovation winners have regularly stepped up with significant contributions."
Grid Innovation Award Winner, Industry: Uplight
Uplight has transformed what customer engagement means in the utility industry. It has continuously provided innovative products that bring greater efficiency, flexibility, equity, and decarbonization to the energy sector. The combined work of its legacy companies (Tendril, Simple Energy, EnergySavvy, FirstFuel, Ecotagious, and EEme) represents a monolithic contribution toward allowing regional energy customers to take a more active role in the two-way energy grid of the future.
"Since the formation of Uplight a year ago, we've been motivated by the belief that creating a modern grid will require a customer-centric approach. To be recognized by Grid Forward is especially meaningful because it means a leading organization in the industry believes in both our vision and execution," said Justin Segall, chief strategy officer at Uplight.
Grid Innovation Award Winner, Utility: Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric has consistently led the region in demonstrating the value of grid innovation to utilities and their customers, and played a key role in founding and supporting Grid Forward. It has been aggressive in its pursuit to decarbonize the energy sector, modernize the distribution grid, engage and empower its communities, and better meet customer needs.
"We're honored to receive the Grid Forward inaugural innovation award. A smart, integrated grid paves the way for the reliable, affordable, clean energy customers want. We're proud to have been an active supporter of Grid Forward since its founding and are dedicated to our ongoing work to modernize our grid so customers can actively participate in the move to a clean energy future," said Larry Bekkedahl, vice president of grid architecture, integration and systems operations at Portland General Electric.
Grid Innovation Award Winner, Individual: Terry Oliver
Through his time at Bonneville Power Administration, Terry Oliver led several seminal initiatives that have had a lasting impact on the region and the industry broadly. His vision for a centralized R&D program led to breakthrough technologies in the areas of seismic hardening, energy efficiency, situational awareness, system resiliency, and optimization that will continue to pay dividends for the industry and customers for decades to come. Oliver has been an important advisor to Grid Forward during its first decade.
The winners received their awards at Grid Forward's Annual Member Meeting, a virtual event held on Aug. 20, 2020. In addition to organization updates and business, the meeting played host to a live podcast recording with Audrey Zibelman, CEO of Australia Energy Market Operator. This podcast will appear in the Grid Forward Chats series available on popular podcast apps.
For more information about the annual meeting and members, visit here.
